Chess Puzzle #35yu6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d5; rook g5; pawns a2/b3/c5/g3/h4. Black: king h6; queen e2; rook f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen d5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Rf6 (rook f8→f6).
3. Best move: Qxf6# — queen e6→f6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/ppp4p/3b3k/2PQp1R1/7P/1P4PK/P3q3/8 b - - 8 33

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