Chess Puzzle #0ePON — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rook b1; bishop b2; pawns a2/c3/e4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook f3; pawns a6/b6/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook b1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook f3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh3 (queen d7→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen e3→h3, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p1Q2p1/pp5p/8/4P3/2P1qr1P/PB6/1R5K w - - 2 26

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