Chess Puzzle #1Fd7s — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h7; rooks a1/h1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops b7/d6; knight b8; pawns a6/c7/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen h8→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn1qr1k1/1bp3pQ/p2bp3/6N1/3P4/2P5/PP3PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 4 21

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