Chess Puzzle #3Hds2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h3; rook d2; bishop f6; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks c2/c8; knight f5; pawns a6/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook c2→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/7p/p3pBp1/1q2PnN1/8/6PQ/PPrR1PK1/8 b - - 3 39

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