Chess Puzzle #2p2d7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c3; bishop h6; pawns a2/d5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; knight h5; pawns a7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d1→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d5→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p1p/6pB/3P3n/8/2Q2P2/P4KPP/3q4 b - - 0 29

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