Chess Puzzle #43Hdv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a5; rooks c7/f2; pawns b2/b6/c4/d3/e4/f3/h2. Black: king b7; queen h5; rooks f8/g8; bishop b8; pawns a7/c5/d4/f4/g3/h3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc7 — bishop b8→c7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a5→a7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc7# — queen a7→c7, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1b3rr1/pkR5/1P6/Q1p4q/2PpPp2/3P1Ppp/1P3R1P/7K b - - 1 40

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