Chess Puzzle #29USN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d1; bishops c6/h6; pawns a2/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen b6; rooks b8/g6; bishop c5; pawns a6/e6/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh6 — rook g6→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d1→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/4kp2/pqB1p1rB/2b5/8/1P3Q2/P1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 2 21

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