Chess Puzzle #0QLnW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks c1/c7; pawns a2/e5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/d8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen a5→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/ppR3p1/4pp1p/q3P2Q/8/6PP/P4P2/2R3K1 b - - 1 23

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