Chess Puzzle #FTyLf — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks e1/e2; pawns a2/b3/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rook e8; knight g5; pawns a7/b6/d6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8 — queen e3→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh3+ — knight g5→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qh1# — queen c6→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/p4p1k/1pqp2pp/6n1/2P5/1P2Q1P1/P3RP1P/4R1K1 w - - 4 27

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