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

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/h6; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks d8/f8; knight e6; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen h4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Nf6# — knight d5→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/p2q1pp1/2p1n2R/3N4/7Q/8/PPP2PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 21

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