Chess Puzzle #1CKJ9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; bishop f3; knight f6; pawns b3/e5/f4/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen d3; bishop g7; pawns b4/e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen d3→f3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/5pb1/4pNpp/2Q1P3/1p3PP1/1P1q1B1P/8/6K1 b - - 0 35

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