Chess Puzzle #25hQo — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rook f1; bishop d3; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/c4/e4/h3. Black: king h7; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; bishop e5; pawns a3/b7/c6/d6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg6 — king h7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg2+ — queen d2→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Bg3 (bishop e5→g3).
3. Best move: Qxg3# — queen g2→g3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1p3p1k/2pp1N1p/4b3/2PqP3/p2B3P/PP1Q4/1K3R2 b - - 2 26

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