Chess Puzzle #FEyo3 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h3; queen c3; pawns f4/g4. Black: king h6; queen f2; pawns g6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen f2→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen c3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h8→h4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen endgame, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6pk/8/5PPp/2Q4K/5q2/8 b - - 4 61

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