Chess Puzzle #C158R — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook d1; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d3; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen d3→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen a1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen h8→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2k2/1p3p1p/p3p1p1/8/8/1P1q4/P4PPP/Q2R2K1 b - - 1 20

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