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

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; bishop e4; pawns a3/f2/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook f6; pawns b5/c3/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop e4→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q3k1/6pp/5r2/1p6/4Bp2/P1p2P1P/1q3P2/6K1 b - - 5 35

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