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

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rooks g1/g6; pawns c3/e5/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen e3; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h5→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: r4rk1/pp3p2/6Rp/2p1P2Q/7P/2P1qP2/7K/6R1 b - - 0 25

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