Chess Puzzle #200Rc — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queens b6/c8; pawns b3/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen f3; knight e2; pawns e6/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qcc6 — queen c8→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen f3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/5ppk/1Q2p1p1/8/6P1/1P3q1P/4n2K/8 w - - 0 41

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