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

Position

White: king g5; queen e6; rook b5; bishop d4; pawns c2/c3/e5/f2/g3. Black: king a5; queen a8; rook d8; bishop f3; pawns c4/g4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxb5 — king a5→b5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb6+ — queen e6→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b5→a4).
3. Best move: Qb4# — queen b6→b4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: q2r4/8/4Q3/kR2P1K1/2pB2p1/2P2bP1/2P2P2/8 b - - 8 45

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