Chess Puzzle #1fNs6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rooks c1/e7; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook a8; bishop b2; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc1 — bishop b2→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f5→f7, 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: r5k1/pp2R1p1/2q4p/5Q2/8/6P1/Pb3P1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 27

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