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

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook c7; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; bishop g7; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d8→c7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q3k/p1R3bp/1p1pQ1p1/n7/3P4/P1N1P3/1P4PP/6K1 b - - 0 23

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