Chess Puzzle #08zpl — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks c7/d2; pawns a4/b5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks c8/d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen d5→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f4→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/p1R3bp/1p4p1/1P1q4/P4Q2/6P1/3R1P1P/6K1 b - - 0 38

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