Chess Puzzle #4lo3a — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e6; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishops e7/f5; knights e8/g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop f5→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen d1→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Bf5 (bishop d3→f5).
3. Best move: Qxf5# — queen g4→f5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3n2r/ppp1b1pp/4k1n1/3qPb2/3P4/2P5/PP1N2PP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 4 14

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