Chess Puzzle #0TG7q — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; bishops c4/f6; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a7/c5/d4/f5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen e7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen d3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Qh4 (queen f6→h4).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h3→h4, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/p3q1p1/5Bp1/2p2p2/2Bp4/3Q4/PP3PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 21

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