Chess Puzzle #0m2c4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a7; rook g1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f6. Black: king f8; queen c6; rook h8; bishop b7; knight g6; pawns b6/c5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen c6→f3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen a7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop b7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/Qb3p2/1pq1pPnp/2p5/8/5B2/PPP2P2/2K3R1 b - - 2 25

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