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

Position

White: king g2; queen d3; rook e3; pawns a2/c4/d5/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a1; rook d6; pawns a5/b5/f6/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh3# — queen d3→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/3r1pp1/pp1P4/2P5/3QR3/P4PKP/q7 b - - 3 32

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