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

Position

White: king c1; queen d6; rook h7; bishop e4; pawns a2/c2/c3/f3. Black: king h8; queen f2; rook a8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king h8→h7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen d6→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qh7# — queen g6→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/pp5R/2pQ2p1/4p3/4B3/2P2P2/P1P2q2/2K5 b - - 0 23

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