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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; bishop c2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; bishop b7; knight f6; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop b7→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pb3pp1/4pn1p/2p5/2P2q2/5N2/PPB2PPP/3Q2K1 b - - 4 26

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