Chess Puzzle #2iD2M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen h5; rook d6; bishop c2; pawns a2/c4/f4/g4/h2. Black: king h8; rooks e8/f8; bishop d7; knight e2; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook d6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen h5→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Qh7# — queen h6→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/pp1b2p1/2pR3p/7Q/2P2PP1/8/P1B1nK1P/8 b - - 1 30

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