Chess Puzzle #06wOT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f3; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; knights c6/d7; pawns a6/b7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook f3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Qh4 (queen d8→h4).
3. Best move: Rxh4# — rook h3→h4, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/1p1n2pk/p1n3p1/4P3/3P4/1Q2NR2/PP4PP/R5K1 b - - 2 20

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