Chess Puzzle #05SLl — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rook c8; pawns a3/b2/d5/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook e7; bishop g6; pawns d6/e4/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen f2→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Bh5 (bishop g6→h5).
3. Best move: Qxh5# — queen h4→h5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R3k1/4rpp1/3p2b1/3P4/4p1P1/P3P2P/1P3Q1K/3q4 b - - 1 36

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