Chess Puzzle #2Rg6S — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c8; bishop c4; pawns a4/b3/e3/g4. Black: king h7; queen g5; knight f6; pawns a5/b4/e4/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg4 — knight f6→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg8+ — queen c8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen g8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/7k/5np1/p5q1/PpB1p1P1/1P2P3/6K1/8 b - - 0 43

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