Chess Puzzle #51YMH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; queen d7; knight h3; pawns d4/e5/f2/g4/h2. Black: king h6; rooks a3/b2; knight f5; pawns a6/c7/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight f5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen d7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2pQ3p/p3p1pk/4Pn2/3P1KP1/r6N/1r3P1P/8 b - - 2 31

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