Chess Puzzle #2MHQh — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; rooks a1/f1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/e3/e4/h3. Black: king f7; queen h4; rook g8; bishop e7; knight f4; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/f5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f1→f4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen h4→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pQ2bk2/2p1p3/2Pp1p2/3PPn1q/4P2P/PP2B2K/R4R2 w - - 0 25

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