Chess Puzzle #1VR7F — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c1; bishop b6; pawns a5/f3/g2/h4. Black: king c6; queen e6; bishop a6; knight d4; pawns d6/e5/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb7 — king c6→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c1→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b7→a8).
3. Best move: Qa7# — queen c7→a7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qa7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/bBkpq1p1/P3pp2/3n3P/5P2/6PK/2Q5 b - - 3 38

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