Chess Puzzle #JM5zQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rook g6; pawns d4/f6/h2. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook a2; pawns b6/c4/d5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/3q1p1p/1p3PR1/3p4/2pP1Q2/8/r6P/7K b - - 0 36

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