Chess Puzzle #6EUwl — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks c1/f1; bishop e5; pawns a4/b5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen d4→e5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppp2Qpp/8/1P2B3/P2q4/8/6PP/2R2R1K b - - 5 26

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