Chess Puzzle #14aUf — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rooks a1/g2; bishop f3; pawns a4/b2/c3/e5/f4/g3. Black: king h8; queen h3; rooks g6/g8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b6/c4/d5/e6/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh3 — king h2→h3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh6+ — rook g6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Bh5 (bishop f3→h5).
3. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h6→h5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/p6p/1p2p1r1/2bpPp2/P1p2P2/2P2BPq/1PQ3RK/R7 w - - 0 39

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