Chess Puzzle #39fC5 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c1; queen a6; pawns a2/c2/h6. Black: king h8; rooks b8/f8; knight c3; pawns f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen a6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen f6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3r1k/7p/Q4p1P/8/8/2n5/P1P5/2K5 b - - 0 41

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