Chess Puzzle #46IHk — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook e7; bishops a3/b3; pawns a4/f2/h3. Black: king d8; queen d7; rook h8; bishop g2; knight f4; pawns a6/b7/d4/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen d7→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen d1→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nd5 (knight f4→d5).
3. Best move: Qxh8# — queen d4→h8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/1p1qRp2/p6p/6p1/P2p1n2/BB5P/5Pb1/3Q2K1 b - - 1 30

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