Chess Puzzle #3FH0k — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; rook d2; knight f6; pawns c4/f4/f7/g5/h2. Black: king h5; queen b3; rooks d8/e1; pawns a6/b7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh4 — king h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen d4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Qg3+ (queen b3→g3, gives check).
3. Best move: hxg3# — pawn h2→g3, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with hxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p3P1p/p4Np1/6Pk/2PQ1P2/1q6/3R2KP/4r3 b - - 2 37

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