Chess Puzzle #3cDI2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rooks a1/f2; bishops c1/f7; pawns a4/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d4/e4; pawns a6/b7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf2 — bishop d4→f2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e6→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen d8→f6).
3. Best move: Qxf6# — queen e5→f6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r1k/1p3B1p/p3Q1p1/8/P2bb3/8/1P3RPP/R1B4K b - - 0 20

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