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

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; rook h8; pawns a2/c3/d4/e5/f6/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook e6; pawns a5/b7/c6/d5/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen e3→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q2kR/1p3p2/2p1rPp1/p2pP3/3P4/2P1Q3/P5PP/7K b - - 2 35

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