Chess Puzzle #07Sk0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rooks e4/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/d5/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen d6; rooks c8/h8; bishops f2/g4; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf3 — bishop g4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1r/pQp2ppp/3q4/3P4/4R1b1/3P2P1/PPP2b1P/2K2B1R b - - 2 18

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