Chess Puzzle #2gFdb — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen e6; knight d6; pawns c2/d3/g2. Black: king b8; queen a1; knight c6; pawns b7/d4/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd1 — queen a1→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen e6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b8→a7).
3. Best move: Qxb7# — queen c8→b7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p4p1/2nNQ3/8/3p4/3P4/2P3PK/q7 b - - 2 35

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