Chess Puzzle #3AFPa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; rooks c2/c7; pawns a3/b4/d5/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks a8/e2; pawns a6/d6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook e2→c2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f4→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2R3pp/p2p4/1q1P4/1P3Q2/P4PK1/2R1r2P/8 b - - 2 35

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