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

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; rook h8; bishop h6; pawns d4/e5/f3/h3. Black: king h7; queen d1; bishop g6; knight c4; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king h7→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen f6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7R/1p3p1k/p3p1bB/3pP3/2nP1Q2/5PKP/8/3q4 b - - 9 41

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