Chess Puzzle #FDq1O — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g5; knights d7/g3; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c2; bishops d4/d5; pawns a7/c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen c2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nh5+ — knight g3→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen g5→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/p2N1pkp/6p1/2pb2Q1/3b4/P5NP/2q2PPK/8 b - - 7 32

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