Chess Puzzle #3FcPQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rook e7; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook b8; bishop a6; pawns a5/b3/d5/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→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: 1r4k1/4R1p1/b6p/p2p1p1Q/P4q2/1p5P/2P2PP1/6K1 b - - 1 26

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