Chess Puzzle #3Y9Jf — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f5; rook b7; pawns a4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook a8; pawns a5/c3/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen d4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f5→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: r5k1/1R4p1/7p/p2p1Q2/P2q1P2/2p3PK/7P/8 b - - 0 35

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