Chess Puzzle #1470k — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f7; rook c2; knight d5; pawns c3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen a2; rook b2; bishop g7; pawns a3/d6/e5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook b2→c2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/5Qbp/3p4/3Np3/4P3/p1P3P1/qrR2PKP/8 b - - 0 30

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