Chess Puzzle #2iPtY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishop a2; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f5; rooks c2/d6; pawns a7/b7/d3/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen d2→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/pp4pp/3r4/5q2/8/P2p4/BPrQ1PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 4 26

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