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

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; rook g4; pawns b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook c1; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa1 — queen a2→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g4→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen f6→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/4pQ1p/3p4/6R1/1P5P/q4PPK/2r5 b - - 3 26

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