Chess Puzzle #hW4En — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f8; rook f7; pawns a2/b2/c3/g3/h2. Black: king h6; queen e2; rook d2; pawns a7/c7/e4/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king h6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen f8→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g5→h6).
3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/p1p2R1p/6pk/4p3/4p3/2P3P1/PP1rq2P/1K6 b - - 2 31

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