Chess Puzzle #0cY4x — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; knights f4/g5; pawns a4/b5/e4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g6; queen d6; rook a8; bishop f6; pawns b6/c5/e5/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g6→h6).
3. Best move: Qh7# — queen f7→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/5p2/1p1q1bk1/1Pp1p1Np/P1Q1PN1P/8/5PP1/6K1 b - - 0 36

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