Chess Puzzle #2C3OM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rooks a7/d8; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook e8; knight e2; pawns c6/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3Rr1k1/R5pp/2p1p3/1q6/4P3/2P2Q1P/1P2nPPK/8 b - - 2 27

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