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

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; bishop e2; pawns c4/e5/f4/g2/h6. Black: king g8; rook a1; bishop d4; pawns a7/b2/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b1=Q — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen b1→b8).
3. Best move: Qxb8# — queen a8→b8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p1p/3p2pP/2p1P3/2PbQP2/8/1p2B1PK/r7 b - - 2 35

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