Chess Puzzle #1S4CK — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook h7; bishop d4; pawns b2/b3/c2/g2/g5. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook a8; bishops b7/g3; knight d7; pawns a5/b4/d5/g6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen e2→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen e7→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b1n3R/2q3p1/p2p2P1/1p1B4/1P4b1/1PP1Q1P1/6K1 b - - 0 30

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