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

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rook g3; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5/g7. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook g8; knight f2; pawns a6/b7/c5/e4/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook g8→g7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen h5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg8# — queen e8→g8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/1pq3Pp/p7/2pP3Q/P3p3/6R1/1PP2n1K/8 b - - 0 36

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