Chess Puzzle #57235 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen h6; bishops d2/f1; pawns c5/d4/f3. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook b2; pawns a7/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen c2→d2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop f1→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8# — queen h6→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p6p/5ppQ/2P5/3P4/5PK1/1rqB4/5B2 b - - 4 32

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