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

Position

White: king a2; queen d5; rook d7; bishop b2; pawns a4/b5/c3/f3. Black: king g8; queen f1; rooks a8/e2; bishop f2; pawns a6/c4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3R1pp1/p6p/1P1Q4/P1p5/2P2P2/KB2rb2/5q2 b - - 5 35

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