Chess Puzzle #1LO5m — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; knight d8; pawns c3/f2/g5. Black: king a7; queens a1/a6; bishop b7; pawns b6/e4. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Q1f1 — queen a1→f1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king a7→a8).
3. Best move: Qb8# — queen c7→b8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3N4/kbQ5/qp6/6P1/4p3/2P5/5P1K/q7 b - - 1 54

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