Chess Puzzle #2RkI2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rook f6; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen a2; rook g8; pawns a5/d5/e4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen a2→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook f6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h5→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/6p1/5R1p/p2p3Q/4p3/P3P2P/q4PPK/8 b - - 3 33

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