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

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops a6/f4; knight b1; pawns a2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop b2; knight f7; pawns a5/c6/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop b2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bd6+ — bishop f4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen h5→f7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1k1r/5npp/B1p5/p2p3Q/5B2/8/PbP3PP/RN3RK1 b - - 1 17

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