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

Position

White: king d1; queen a3; rooks c7/f6; pawn b2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rook f8; knight g4; pawns b7/e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf6 — knight g4→f6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen a3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ng8 (knight f6→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f8→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1pR3pp/5R2/5p2/4p1n1/Q7/1P3q2/3K4 b - - 1 29

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