Chess Puzzle #01qTU — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h7; rook e3; pawns a4/c3/c5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king f8; queen g4; rook d8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: Qe8# — queen h8→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pp4pQ/5b2/2P5/P5qP/2P1R1P1/5P1K/8 b - - 0 35

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