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

Position

White: king h2; queen e7; bishop c5; knight f3; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook b2; bishop g7; pawns f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook b2→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→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: 6k1/4Qpbp/6p1/2Bq4/8/5N1P/1r3PPK/8 b - - 0 26

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