Chess Puzzle #2wGT2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks f1/h8; bishop b1; pawns e4/f2/f6/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks c8/e8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen f4→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1kR/pb3p2/1p2pPp1/2q5/4PQ2/8/5PPP/1B3RK1 b - - 4 33

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