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

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook g3; pawns b3/c2/g2. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen d6→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f8→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/5pp1/p2Q3p/4pq2/8/1P4R1/2P3PK/8 b - - 1 37

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