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

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks e6/g1; bishop h5; pawns a2/f2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop h6; pawns a6/c7/d5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen f6→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook e6→h6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen d7→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/2pQ2p1/p3Rq1b/3p3B/8/8/P4P1P/6RK b - - 5 29

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