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

Position

White: king g3; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f4; knight h8; pawns a2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b2; rook a8; bishops c8/d6; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf4+ — bishop d6→f4, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen c4→f4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen b2→e5).
3. Best move: Qxe5# — queen f4→e5, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rkb4N/pp4p1/3b1n1p/8/2Q2B2/3P2K1/Pq4PP/R6R b - - 0 23

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