Chess Puzzle #1Dwvx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook e1; knight g5; pawns a2/c3/g3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks d8/f2; pawns a6/b6/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook f2→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2p3pp/pp1q4/6N1/7Q/2P3P1/P4r2/4R1K1 b - - 1 26

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