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

Position

White: king a3; queen d3; rook d5; pawns a2/b3/f3. Black: king h7; queen f2; rook g6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh5+ — rook d5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen d3→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4ppk/6r1/3R4/7p/KP1Q1P2/P4q2/8 b - - 3 40

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