Chess Puzzle #DV3YR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; bishops c2/c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; bishop d8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3b2k1/pp3pp1/2q1p2p/3n4/8/2BQ2P1/PPB2P1P/6K1 b - - 3 27

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