Chess Puzzle #2gbYn — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; queen b4; rook g2; pawns a7/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen f3; rook d8; pawns f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook d8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: axb8=Q# — pawn a7→b8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with axb8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/P4ppp/8/8/1Q3P2/5q1P/6R1/7K b - - 0 43

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