Chess Puzzle #1dXJh — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights b8/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop f8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb3+ — queen d1→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qf7# — queen b3→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rnb2bkr/pppp2pp/8/4N3/4n2q/2P5/PP1P1PPP/RNBQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

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