Chess Puzzle #2Ef2h — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; knights c1/d6; pawns a4/b3/e5/f4/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f1; bishop f8; knight d5; pawns a6/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc1 — queen f1→c1, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f7→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5bk1/1Q3p1p/p2Np1p1/3nP3/P4P2/1P4PP/7K/2N2q2 b - - 2 31

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