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

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; rook e1; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/d5/f3/g4/h4. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook e8; bishop d6; knight f6; pawns a5/b4/c5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nh7 (knight f6→h7).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/3q1p2/3b1n1p/p1pP1N2/1p4PP/5P2/PP1Q2K1/4R3 b - - 2 29

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