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

Position

White: king b2; queen f3; bishop d2; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/e6. Black: king f8; queen d3; rooks a8/h8; pawns a7/b6/c4/c6/g2/h2. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
3. Best move: Qd7# — queen f7→d7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/p7/1pp1P3/8/1PpP4/P2qPQ2/1K1B2pp/8 b - - 1 36

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