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

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rook e8; pawns a2/c3/g2/g6/h3. Black: king g8; queen b1; rooks f8/h8; pawns a7/b7/c4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg6 — queen b1→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f2→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxh8# — queen f8→h8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Rrkr/pp4p1/6Pp/8/2p5/2P4P/P4QPK/1q6 b - - 6 28

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