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

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; knight g4; pawns a3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e2; rook g5; pawns a5/b7/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen e2→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight g4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qg8# — queen f7→g8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3Qpk/2p4p/p5r1/3P2N1/P6P/4q1PK/8 b - - 7 42

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