Chess Puzzle #1RpU3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks c7/f1; pawns a2/b3/d6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/b6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppRr1pp1/1p1P3p/8/7q/1P3Q2/P4PPP/5R1K b - - 2 24

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