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

Position

White: king f2; queen f3; rook e3; pawns a2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; bishop d4; pawns a6/b5/c7/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen b6→b8).
3. Best move: Qxb8# — queen a8→b8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2pp1/pq4p1/1p6/3b2P1/4RQ1P/P4K2/8 b - - 0 34

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