Chess Puzzle #1oO03 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d4; knight f6; pawns b4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook f8; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/d6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg4+ — rook d4→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf6# — queen f3→f6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, intermezzo, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2q2ppp/p2ppN2/1p6/1PnR4/5Q2/5PPP/6K1 b - - 3 28

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