Chess Puzzle #10AmC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rooks c7/f7; pawns a3/b2/d4/e5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks b8/f8; pawns a6/b5/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f2→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/2R2Rp1/p3p2p/1p2P2P/3Pq3/P7/1P3QPK/8 b - - 0 42

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