Chess Puzzle #1Dl86 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook e1; bishop h6; pawns a4/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f8; rooks b3/c6; bishop d5; pawns a7/e5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen f7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5qk1/p6p/2r1p1pB/2Pbp3/P6Q/1r6/5PPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 30

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