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

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rook e1; pawns b5/c4/d3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king f7; queen c8; rook h1; bishop f1; pawns b7/d6/e5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh1 — king g1→h1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen c8→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen h3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q5/1p3k2/3p4/1P2p1Q1/2P1P3/3P2P1/5P2/4RbKr w - - 5 44

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