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

Position

White: king c3; queen d6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/h6/h7. Black: king h8; queen g2; rook e8; pawns a6/b5/c4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen g2→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen d6→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen f6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/7P/p2Q3P/1p6/2p1P3/2K5/PPP3q1/8 b - - 1 32

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