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

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rook h2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/d3/f5/g2. Black: king e6; queen d6; rook a8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c5/e5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd5 — king e6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen h3→f3, gives check. Opponent replies e4 (pawn e5→e4).
3. Best move: Qxe4# — queen f3→e4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp1b4/3qk1p1/2pNpP2/8/3P3Q/PP4PR/2K5 b - - 0 27

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