Chess Puzzle #3Qwd1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen g5; rook h4; bishop f5; pawns a3/d2/e3. Black: king h7; queen d7; rook e8; pawns a5/b6/d6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf5 — queen d7→f5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g5→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r3/3q1p1k/1p1p2pp/p4BQ1/7R/P3P3/3PK3/8 b - - 0 39

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