Chess Puzzle #2Z0r4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks b1/e1; knights f6/h4; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishops d6/h7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen c2→h7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h7→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pppq1p1b/2nb1N1p/8/1P1P3N/P7/2Q2PPP/1R2R1K1 b - - 1 19

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