Chess Puzzle #2Q7Hl — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook f2; bishop e5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks a8/c2; bishop g6; pawns a7/b7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Bf7 (bishop g6→f7).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen d7→f7, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp4k1/1q4bp/3QB1p1/7P/8/PPr2RP1/6K1 b - - 4 26

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