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

Position

White: king h3; queen g5; rooks e1/h8; pawns a3/c3/f3/f6/g3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks b2/f2; pawns a5/d5/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen g5→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: 6kR/5p2/4pPp1/p1qp2Q1/8/P1P2PPK/1r3r2/4R3 b - - 3 35

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