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

Position

White: king g2; queen f6; rook b8; pawns a2/e6/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; knight e8; pawns a5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb8 — queen d6→b8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8# — queen f7→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R2n1k1/7p/3qPQp1/p7/6P1/7P/P4PK1/8 b - - 4 42

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