Chess Puzzle #2hj9X — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rook d1; bishop f6; pawns a2/b2/d4/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook a8; knights b8/h1; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen d8→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen f6→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: rn1q3k/p1p2Qpp/1p3B2/8/3P2P1/7P/PP6/2KR3n b - - 0 19

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