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

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks d1/e3; pawns a2/e5/f2/g5. Black: king h7; queen e7; rooks c8/h8; pawns a7/b6/d5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook e3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh3 (queen e6→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen f6→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/p3qp1k/1p3Qp1/3pP1P1/8/4R3/P4P2/3R2K1 b - - 1 27

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