Chess Puzzle #4EMcc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b7/f1; pawns a4/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/e5; pawns a5/c6/d5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→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: r5k1/1R4p1/2pq4/p2pr3/P7/1P3QP1/7P/5RK1 b - - 0 39

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