Chess Puzzle #4MtGK — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen e2; rook e3; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook a8; pawns c6/f7/g5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook a8→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh5# — queen e2→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5pp1/2p5/3q2p1/8/4R1PK/P3QP1P/8 b - - 6 42

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