Chess Puzzle #2hoC2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook c1; pawns c5/d7/f5/h3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook a8; knight c6; pawns a3/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: dxe8=Q# — pawn d7→e8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with dxe8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p1P1ppp/2n5/1qP2P2/4Q3/p6P/8/2R3K1 b - - 0 34

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