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

Position

White: king b1; queen h3; rooks d1/d6; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/f5/h2. Black: king h8; queen c8; rooks c7/g8; pawns a6/b7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook d6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h3→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q3rk/1pr2pp1/p2R3p/4pP2/4P3/1P5Q/P1P4P/1K1R4 b - - 0 27

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