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

Position

White: king h2; queen f5; rook g4; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen h6; rook e1; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h5→g4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e1→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3pp1/7q/5Q1p/6RP/8/PPB2PPK/4r3 b - - 0 31

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