Chess Puzzle #4Zi0M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f5; rook g6; knight e7; pawns d6/e3/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen a1; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen f5→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen g6→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/p3Npk1/1p1P2Rp/2p2Q2/8/4P1PK/7P/q7 b - - 5 34

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