Chess Puzzle #2a5vj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen g6; rook d8; bishop c4; pawns b5/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook h8; knight c5; pawns b7/f2/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd8 — queen e8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen g6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qg6# — queen f7→g6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3Rq1kr/1p3pp1/6Qp/1Pn2P2/2B5/8/2K2pPP/8 b - - 7 30

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