Chess Puzzle #3EP8N — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/f2/f5/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen c6; rooks g8/h6; pawns a7/b7/c5/c7/e5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh4+ — rook h6→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh4 (pawn g3→h4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen c6→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/ppp4k/2q4r/2p1pP2/2P4P/3PQ1P1/PP3P2/R4RK1 w - - 1 25

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