Chess Puzzle #2X1XE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rook e4; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/g8; bishops f6/f7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen h6→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Rg4 (rook g8→g4).
3. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen h3→g4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop f7→e6).
4. Best move: Qxe6# — queen g4→e6, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qk1r1/ppp2b2/3p1b1Q/3P4/2P1R3/8/PP4PP/6K1 b - - 0 29

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