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

Position

White: king b1; queen b3; rook e4; pawns a4/c3/d4/f2/g4. Black: king d7; queen c7; rook f6; bishop d6; pawns c6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f6→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen b3→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qe8# — queen e6→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2qk2p1/2pb1r2/8/P2PR1P1/1QP5/5P2/1K6 b - - 0 34

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