Chess Puzzle #1KQ5L — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rook c8; pawns b3/d4/f4/h6. Black: king g7; queen d5; bishop b4; pawns a6/e6/f6/f7/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh6 — king g7→h6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
3. Best move: Qh7# — queen d3→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5pk1/p3pp1P/3q4/1b1P1Pp1/1P1Q4/8/1K6 b - - 0 34

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