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

Position

White: king g2; queen g5; rook h5; knight f6; pawns a2/c2/e5/f2/g3. Black: king h8; queen g7; rook c8; knight b6; pawns a6/b4/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g6→h5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen g5→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen g7→h6).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h5→h6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/5pq1/pn2pNp1/4P1QR/1p6/6P1/P1P2PK1/8 b - - 0 43

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