Chess Puzzle #3AdTa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rook a7; bishop b5; pawns b3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen b6; rook h8; bishop c8; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa7 — queen b6→a7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd6+ — queen b4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxd7# — queen d6→d7, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2bk3r/Rp3ppp/1q2p3/1B1pP3/1Q6/1P6/5PPP/6K1 b - - 0 23

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