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

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rooks a1/h3; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/g5/h2. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop b7; knights c5/d5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f2→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxh8# — queen f6→h8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6r/1b3pk1/pq2p1p1/1pnnP1P1/8/4B2R/PP3QPP/R6K b - - 6 24

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