Chess Puzzle #1xLM7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f8; pawns b2/c5/e3/h3. Black: king f5; queen g2; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d3. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king f5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen f8→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e4→d5).
3. Best move: Qd4# — queen f4→d4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/pp6/2p1b3/2P2k2/8/3pP2P/1P4q1/4K3 b - - 13 39

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