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

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; bishop g6; knight e1; pawns c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen a1; bishops b7/g7; pawns a5/c6/d6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1b3Qbk/2pp2Bp/p7/4P3/8/2P3PP/q3N2K b - - 0 40

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