Chess Puzzle #2QBCn — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; knight e5; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king e8; queen f8; knight f6; pawns e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen f8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen e7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h8→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: 4kq2/5p2/4pnp1/4N3/7Q/6PP/5P1K/8 b - - 9 41

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