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

Position

White: king f3; queen f4; rooks d1/e3; bishop a8; knight d5; pawns e5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen b3; rook f8; bishops c5/c8; pawns a7/b2/b5/d7/f7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop c5→e3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d8→e8).
3. Best move: Nc7# — knight d5→c7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nc7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: B1bk1r2/p2p1p2/7p/1pbNP3/5Q2/1q2RK2/1p4PP/3R4 b - - 3 28

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