Chess Puzzle #3RFmN — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f3; rook c7; pawns b6/c4/d5/e3/e4/g4. Black: king g7; queen d2; rook f8; pawns d6/e5/f7/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook f8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h3→g3).
3. Best move: Qh2# — queen d2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2R2pk1/1P1p2p1/3Pp3/2P1P1P1/4PQ1K/3q4/8 w - - 1 40

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