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

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks d3/f1; pawns a2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h5; queen e4; rooks c2/c7; pawns a5/e6/g5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd3 — queen e4→d3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g3→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
3. Best move: Qh6# — queen f8→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/2r4p/4p1p1/p5pk/4q3/3R2PP/P1r2P2/5RK1 b - - 0 29

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