Chess Puzzle #4ZQ4U — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks b1/b8; pawns a2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks a8/f7; bishop d4; pawns a7/c7/d6/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook a8→b8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh3# — queen e6→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rR4k1/p1p2rp1/3pQ1p1/8/3bP3/8/P1q2PPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 23

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