Chess Puzzle #2Px0r — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rook e1; bishop b8; knight f3; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook a8; bishops d1/f6; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop d1→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop f6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rB4k1/p4ppp/Q3pbq1/3p4/8/5N1P/5PP1/3bR1K1 b - - 0 26

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