Chess Puzzle #28MsZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c4/e1; bishop f7; pawns c3/e6/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rook a8; bishop c6; pawns a6/b5/b7/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e2→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen e7→f6).
3. Best move: Qxf6# — queen e5→f6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1p2qB1p/p1b1P1p1/1p3p2/2R5/2P5/4Q1PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 27

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