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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; bishop e5; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c7; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen c7→e5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d1→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Qxb7# — queen d7→b7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1pq3pp/p1n2p2/2N1B3/8/8/PP3PPP/3Q2K1 b - - 0 24

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