Chess Puzzle #7Idyq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen f4; rooks d1/d7; pawns b2/b3/c7/f2/g4/h3. Black: king f8; queen c2; rooks e5/e8; bishop g6; pawns a7/f6/h6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c2→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen f4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/p1PR3p/5pbp/4r3/5QP1/1P5P/KPq2P2/3R4 b - - 1 33

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