Chess Puzzle #4gvpS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rook h8; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e5/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a7/f8; pawns a5/b4/b6/d5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen e2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
3. Best move: Qh7# — queen h2→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rkR/r3qp2/1p2p1p1/p2pP1N1/1p3P2/3P2P1/PPP1Q3/2K5 b - - 0 23

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