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

Position

White: king g2; queen b8; bishop g8; pawns e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king h6; queen f6; bishop g7; pawns b4/e4/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen f6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen b8→f4, gives check. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
3. Best move: Qxg5# — queen f4→g5, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Q4B1/6b1/5qpk/5p1p/1p2p2P/4P1P1/5PK1/8 b - - 3 40

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