Chess Puzzle #2dUUV — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; rook c2; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/e4/f3/h3. Black: king h6; queen g6; rook g3; pawns a7/b6/d6/e3/f4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd8 — queen c7→d8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg3# — queen g6→g3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1Q5/Pp1p2qk/1P1P4/2P1Pp2/4pPrP/2R4K/8 w - - 1 49

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