Chess Puzzle #1Czod — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h2; rook d1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g6. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops e7/g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qr2k/pp2b1p1/2p3P1/8/3P2b1/5N2/PPP4Q/2KR4 b - - 1 22

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