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

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rook c8; pawns a3/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook d1; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen f4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen f5→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R3k1/p4pp1/7p/8/1P3Q2/P6P/6PK/3rq3 b - - 2 28

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