Chess Puzzle #7k4cj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f1; bishops d1/d2; pawns c4/e4/g2/g6/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; bishop g7; pawns a3/c5/d6/e5/e7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen a2→d2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f1→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4p1bp/3p2P1/2p1p3/2P1P3/p7/q2B2PP/3B1Q1K b - - 0 28

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