Chess Puzzle #1hX70 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; bishop f6; pawns a2/d4/e5/g2. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook b8; pawns c4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook b8→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen c8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5p2/5Bp1/4P3/2pP2Q1/4q3/P5PK/8 b - - 4 42

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