Chess Puzzle #1JrE5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen g4; bishop c1; pawns a4/b3/d4/h4. Black: king g8; queen e7; bishop h7; pawns a5/b4/d5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4qppb/8/p2p4/Pp1P2QP/1P6/K7/2B5 b - - 2 38

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