Chess Puzzle #3XS7e — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rook h1; bishop d2; knight g5; pawns a2/c2/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a8; bishop c8; knights c6/g4; pawns b5/b7/d7/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen b3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1bq2k1/1p1p3p/2n3p1/1pP1p1N1/6n1/1Q6/P1PB1PPP/4K2R b K - 1 16

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