Chess Puzzle #31wsR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks b7/f1; pawns a3/e4/f6/g3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook f8; knight d2; pawns a7/c5/d4/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf1 — knight d2→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg7+ — rook b7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h3→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pR6/5P1p/2p1q1p1/3pP3/P5PQ/3n4/5RK1 b - - 0 31

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