Chess Puzzle #1pOk3 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c3; rook a3; bishop e2; pawns d4/d5/e3/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen h2; rook b1; bishop c6; pawns a4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen h2→h4, gives check. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
3. Best move: Qh2# — queen h4→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5ppp/2b1p3/3P4/p2P4/R1Q1PP2/4BKPq/1r6 w - - 0 31

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