Chess Puzzle #2Iaww — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rook f1; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h6. Black: king h8; queen e7; bishop e8; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e4/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b8→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen e7→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
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: 1Q2b2k/pp2q2p/2p4P/2Np4/4p1n1/8/PPP3P1/5R1K w - - 6 37

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