Chess Puzzle #08VCP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e6; knight f3; pawns a2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; bishop h5; pawns c6/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf7 — bishop h5→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen e6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop f7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/2p1Q3/3p3b/3P4/2q2N2/P4KPP/8 b - - 0 30

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