Chess Puzzle #09LYv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks e1/h4; pawns a3/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c2/f8; pawns a7/e4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h6→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p3qp1p/4p1pQ/8/4p2R/PP6/2r2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 24

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