Chess Puzzle #1L3zv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rook g3; bishops b4/g2; pawns a2/b3/e5/h3. Black: king h8; queen b7; rook c2; bishop c6; knights a5/d5; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb4 — knight d5→b4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop c6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/1q3ppp/p1b5/n2nP3/1B1Q4/1P4RP/P1r3BK/8 b - - 0 34

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