Chess Puzzle #3jURg — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook e6; bishop g3; pawns b4/c5/e5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen h5; rook a8; bishop f4; pawns e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c7→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h5→h4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/2Q3pp/4R3/2P1P2q/1P2pb1P/6B1/5PP1/6K1 w - - 0 37

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