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

Position

White: king h2; queen g5; rook h7; pawns e5/f2/g2. Black: king d7; queen c6; rook e6; pawns b5/c4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king d7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen g5→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, swallowstail mate. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k1p1R/2q1r1p1/1p2P1Q1/2p5/8/5PPK/8 b - - 7 46

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