Chess Puzzle #17zMq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rook a7; pawns b4/c5/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook e8; bishop c8; pawns b5/c4/c6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen d4→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, 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: 2b1r1k1/R5p1/2p2p1p/1pP4Q/1Ppq4/4P1P1/5PP1/6K1 b - - 3 29

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