Chess Puzzle #4hBYx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rook b4; bishop f7; pawns a4/c2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen h5; rook f8; bishops b7/c3; pawns a6/d7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb4 — bishop c3→b4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen c4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen h5→e5).
3. Best move: Qxe5# — queen d4→e5, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1b1p1B1p/p5p1/7q/PRQ5/2b5/2P3PP/7K b - - 0 26

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