Chess Puzzle #0EcRN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks a1/f4; bishop c1; pawns a2/c3/c4/e4/f6/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f8; rooks a8/g8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king h8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen f8→h6).
3. Best move: Rxh6# — rook h4→h6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4qrk/ppp2p1Q/3pbPp1/8/2P1PR2/2P5/P5PP/R1B3K1 b - - 0 20

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