Chess Puzzle #2H2UX — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rook a1; bishops c4/c7; pawns a4/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook d2; bishop g7; pawns a5/e5/f4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d8→c7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3q3k/2B3bp/6p1/pQ2p3/P1B2p2/6P1/1P1r1P1P/R5K1 b - - 0 28

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