Chess Puzzle #1izFO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; knight g6; pawns a4/b5/c6/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c5; pawns a5/a7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d2→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Qe8# — queen d7→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen endgame, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/p1p2ppp/2P1p1N1/pPq5/P7/5P2/3Q2PP/5K2 b - - 0 29

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