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

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; knight g6; pawns a2/b2/f4/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook e8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen g3→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen g6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3qr1k1/pp5p/4p1NP/5p2/5P2/6Q1/PP4PK/8 b - - 0 34

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