Chess Puzzle #1tECP — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b3; queen c4; rook d7; pawns b2/c2. Black: king g8; queen g1; rook a5; bishop f8; pawns f7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen g1→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f7→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5bk1/3R1p2/6p1/r7/2Q5/1K6/1PP5/6q1 b - - 8 39

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