Chess Puzzle #8us5F — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen g8; rook d6; pawns a3/b2/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g6; queen c2; rook e2; pawns a6/b5/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh5 — king g6→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen g8→f7, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qxg6# — queen f7→g6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6Q1/6p1/p2R2kp/1p3p2/5P1P/P5PK/1Pq1r3/8 b - - 7 35

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