Chess Puzzle #04GTt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook h8; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen f7; rook f6; bishop e8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen g3→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qc5# — queen c7→c5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qc5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4bk1R/pp3q2/4pr2/3p4/3P4/2P3QP/PP4P1/6K1 b - - 27 38

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