Chess Puzzle #1X2ac — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; bishops d3/d4; pawns c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b3; bishop d7; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd3 — queen b3→d3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen e7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1ppbQppp/p2p4/3P4/2PB4/1q1B4/6PP/6K1 b - - 2 31

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