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

Position

White: king g3; queen d5; rook e7; knight c6; pawns a2/b3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns d6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen c7→c6, captures knight. 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 bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2q1Rpb1/2Np3p/3Q4/8/1P4K1/P7/8 b - - 2 38

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