Chess Puzzle #2DD2S — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks e1/e6; bishop d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/h8; bishops d7/f6; pawns a6/b5/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe6 — bishop d7→e6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop d5→e6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qf7# — queen h5→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rq2kr/3b2pp/p2pRb2/1p1B3Q/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 6 21

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