Chess Puzzle #18Hxn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook d1; bishops e2/g3; pawns a4/f2/f6/g2. Black: king f8; queen c3; rook d8; knights c6/f5; pawns a7/b7/c5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg3 — knight f5→g3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg7+ — queen g4→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qg8# — queen g7→g8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pp3p2/2n1pP2/2p2n2/P5Q1/2q3B1/4BPP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 31

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