Chess Puzzle #2HV4R — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; bishop e3; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen d6; rook b1; bishop e1; pawns f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen d6→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen b4→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/6pp/3q1p2/8/8/4B1PP/2Q2P2/1r2b1K1 b - - 1 38

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