Chess Puzzle #1gWZU — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook d7; bishop a4; knight d6; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook b2; pawns a6/c4/d3/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight d6→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh2# — queen f2→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3R2pp/p2N1q2/8/B1p5/3p2P1/1r3P1P/3Q2K1 w - - 4 36

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.