Chess Puzzle #3xYhi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; bishop d3; pawns b2/e3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; bishop d7; pawns b4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen a5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1q1b1pp1/4p2p/Q2pP3/1p6/3BP2P/1P3PP1/6K1 b - - 7 30

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