Chess Puzzle #173R1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; pawns a2/b3/c6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; bishop g7; pawns a7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→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: 7k/p1q3bp/2P1Q1p1/5p2/4p3/1P6/P4PPP/6K1 b - - 4 35

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