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

Position

White: king h2; queen g5; rook e6; pawns a2/b3/f4/f6/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen g8; rook d1; knight c6; pawns a5/b4/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen g8→e6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen g5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6qk/8/2n1RPp1/p5Qp/1p3P1P/1P6/P5PK/3r4 b - - 2 38

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