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

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook e1; knights b5/h6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king f8; queen d7; rook a8; bishop g7; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen d2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Qd6 (queen d7→d6).
3. Best move: Qxd6# — queen b4→d6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/pp1q1pb1/1np3pN/1N5p/3P3P/8/PPPQ1PP1/2K1R3 b - - 3 22

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