Chess Puzzle #37xoI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rook a7; pawns f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d8; knight f7; pawns a5/b4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen f6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b3→f7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/R4n1p/5qp1/p7/1p5P/1Q3P2/6P1/7K b - - 3 34

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