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

Position

White: king h2; queen e7; rook e6; pawns a2/b3/g2/g3/h3. Black: king d4; queen f5; rook d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d3/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen e7→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king d4→d3).
3. Best move: Qc4# — queen b4→c4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qc4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp2Q3/2p1R3/3r1qpp/3k4/1P1p2PP/P5PK/8 b - - 13 39

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