Chess Puzzle #0jRoT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c5; rook c7; pawns b2/b5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen d2; rook a1; knight f6; pawns g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe1 — queen d2→e1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen c5→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ng8 (knight f6→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f8→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2R3p1/5n1p/1PQ5/8/6PP/1P1q1P1K/r7 b - - 2 35

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