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

Position

White: king a2; queen d5; rook e2; knight b4; pawns a3/b2/f3/h4. Black: king f8; queen b6; rook c1; bishop g7; pawns a4/d6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen b6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c1→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen a8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5pb1/1q1p2p1/3Q4/pN5P/P4P2/KP2R3/2r5 b - - 0 37

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