Chess Puzzle #1vhN8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; knight e8; pawns e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; bishop b6; pawns a4/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Nf6# — knight e8→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4N2k/5p2/1b2p1pp/2q1P3/p7/6P1/3Q1PKP/8 b - - 13 39

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