Chess Puzzle #1bU6j — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/f1; bishops e6/g5; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/g6; bishop b7; knights c6/e7; pawns a6/b5/c7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg5 — rook g6→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook g5→h5).
3. Best move: Qxh5# — queen h4→h5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q3k/1bp1n1p1/p1n1B1r1/1p4B1/6Q1/P6P/1P3PP1/R4RK1 b - - 0 19

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