Chess Puzzle #0ery9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b5; rooks e1/h1; bishop c4; knights b1/g1; pawns b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queens a1/f7; rooks e7/h8; bishop c8; knight b8; pawns a4/e6/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop c8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen b5→b8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1nb1k2r/4rq1p/4pp2/1Q6/p1BP4/8/1PP3PP/qNK1R1NR b k - 2 22

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