Chess Puzzle #2EW00 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen d5; rook e7; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook b8; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen c2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures pawn, 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: 1r4k1/4Rpp1/7p/pp1Q4/3P4/2P2K2/PPq3PP/8 b - - 9 30

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