Chess Puzzle #1V1VJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook f2; bishop c2; pawns b3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; rook a7; bishop d6; pawns a6/b4/c5/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook a7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen e4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4p1p/p2b1p2/2p5/1p2QP2/1P5P/2B2RPK/q7 b - - 3 29

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