Chess Puzzle #1o6bM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a5; rook c1; bishop f3; knight a8; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook b3; bishop d4; knight f6; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook b3→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen a5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: N5k1/1q3ppp/4pn2/Q2p4/3b4/1r3B1P/6P1/2R4K b - - 0 28

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