Chess Puzzle #2H6wz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rook c1; bishops f5/h4; pawns a4/b2/d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g5; queen d8; rook f6; bishop g7; knights d7/g6; pawns a5/c5/e5/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh4 — knight g6→h4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen h3→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g5→h6).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen g4→h4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q4/3n2b1/5rn1/p1pPpBk1/P3Pp1B/7Q/1P4PP/2R3K1 b - - 3 28

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