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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d7; pawns a4/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook b8; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen b3→a4, 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: 1r4k1/1p1R1pp1/p6p/8/P7/1qP2Q1P/5PP1/6K1 b - - 0 27

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