Chess Puzzle #5Q4xE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rook d1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/f6/g4. Black: king f8; queen c5; rooks a8/e5; pawns b4/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen f4→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/5p1p/5Pp1/2qpr3/1p1N1QP1/8/PP5K/3R4 b - - 2 39

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