Chess Puzzle #3pmA7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops e6/f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf4 — bishop e5→f4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d1→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen d7→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp3pp1/2p1B2p/q3b3/5B2/2P5/PP3PPP/R2QK2R b KQkq - 0 15

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