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

Position

White: king g3; queen g5; rook h8; pawns a4/b3/c2/d3/e5/f6/g2. Black: king g8; queen e6; bishop f5; pawns a5/c5/c6/d4/g6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen g5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6kR/8/2p1qPp1/p1p1PbQ1/P2p4/1P1P2K1/2P3P1/8 b - - 0 45

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