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

Position

White: king h2; queen c8; rook f1; bishop g4; pawns b5/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g6; queen e3; rook d7; knight f7; pawns b7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d7→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g6→h6).
3. Best move: Qh5# — queen f5→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/1p1r1npp/5pk1/1P6/2P3B1/4q2P/6PK/5R2 b - - 4 31

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