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

Position

White: king b1; queen e1; rook h1; bishop b4; knight f6; pawns a3/b2/c2/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook d7; bishop g7; knight c4; pawns b5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen c6→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r1pbp/2q2Np1/1p6/1Bn4P/P4P2/1PP3P1/1K2Q2R b - - 1 26

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