Chess Puzzle #3IpO1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen e5; rooks a1/h1; bishop d4; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/d3/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook a8; bishop c6; knights b6/h5; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen f7→f3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g3→h2).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen f3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3q1p/1nb3p1/4Q2n/1P1B2PP/P2P1NK1/8/R6R w - - 6 27

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