Chess Puzzle #1wScj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; rooks e4/g3; pawns b3/f6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d6; rooks d2/f8; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen h4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king h7→h6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh4# — rook e4→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1pp2p1k/p2q1P1p/8/4R2Q/1P4RP/3r2PK/8 b - - 6 36

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