Chess Puzzle #1KD4t — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook e6; pawns b4/c3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen a3; rook g8; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen a3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook e6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen d6→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6rk/1p4p1/p2QR2p/8/1P6/q1P4P/6PK/8 b - - 3 44

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