Chess Puzzle #0Xk5D — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook e8; bishop h6; pawns a2/c2/d3/f2/f3/h3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook c8; pawns a7/b6/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8 — queen d8→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen c6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen f6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rqR2k/p6p/1pQ2ppB/8/8/3P1P1P/P1P2P2/6K1 b - - 2 20

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