Chess Puzzle #072uQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c4; bishop b3; pawns b5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook a8; pawns d6/e4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen b6→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf6# — queen f7→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p1p/1q1p2p1/1P6/2QPp3/1B5P/5PPK/8 b - - 2 34

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