Chess Puzzle #BcqDi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks d1/h1; bishops c7/f1; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights b8/g8; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight b8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen f3→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, opening, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rnb1kbnr/ppB1pppp/5q2/8/8/2N2Q2/PPP3PP/3RKBNR b Kkq - 0 8

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