Chess Puzzle #0i82a — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rook d4; bishop c4; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rook f4; bishop b7; pawns a5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen c5→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/1b4pp/8/p1q5/2BR1r2/1P6/P5PP/4Q2K b - - 0 39

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