Chess Puzzle #1O2O3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen e4; rook g1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f6/g4. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook b8; bishop h4; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop h4→f6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen e4→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4qpp1/p4P1p/4p3/4Q1Pb/2PB4/PPK5/6R1 b - - 0 31

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