Chess Puzzle #37UMU — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rooks a2/f2; pawns a7/d3/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks h3/h5; pawns c6/e5/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Qh1# — queen h3→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/P5p1/2p1p2p/4p2r/7q/3P1P1r/R2Q1RPK/8 w - - 0 31

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