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

Position

White: king d6; queen h5; pawns a2/c4/g6/h2. Black: king g8; rooks e2/e7; bishop e4; pawns a7/b6/c5/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop e4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h5→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3r1p1/1p1K2P1/2p4Q/2P1b3/8/P3r2P/8 b - - 2 43

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