Chess Puzzle #Ai3aY — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook d1; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook f8; bishop f4; pawns a7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh6 — queen d6→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pQ3ppp/3q4/4p3/5b2/1B3P2/PP3P1P/3R2K1 b - - 1 22

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