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

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rook c7; knight g6; pawns a2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook e8; bishop d6; knight c8; pawns b5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd5+ — queen c5→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Re6 (rook e8→e6).
3. Best move: Qxe6# — queen d5→e6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2nqr2k/2R5/3b2Np/1pQ5/4P3/8/P5PP/6K1 b - - 0 31

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