Chess Puzzle #3CGeN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook f1; knight e6; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook c5; knight e5; pawns a7/b5/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c5→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f2→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen e8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4q1k1/p5pp/4N3/1prpn3/8/1P6/P4QPP/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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