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

Position

White: king a2; queen b4; pawns a3/b2/c5/g7/h6. Black: king g8; rooks b8/d3; bishop h7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen b4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Rd5 (rook d3→d5).
3. Best move: Qxd5# — queen c4→d5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/ppp3Pb/3p3P/2P5/1Q6/P2r4/KP6/8 b - - 0 35

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