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

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; bishop d3; pawns d4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; knight d7; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1q1n1pp1/3Qp2p/3p4/3P2P1/3BP2P/5P2/6K1 b - - 2 33

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