Chess Puzzle #0DkcS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d2; rooks a1/d6; bishop e3; knights f5/g3; pawns a2/c2/e4/f3/g4/h2. Black: king d7; queen a4; rooks a8/c8; bishop e7; knights e6/f6; pawns b4/e5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop e7→d6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen d2→d6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qe7# — queen d6→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qe7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1r5/3kbp1p/3Rnn2/4pN2/qp2P1P1/4BPN1/PKPQ3P/R7 b - - 0 27

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