Chess Puzzle #52H9i — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h8; rook e5; pawns f4/h3. Black: king h5; queen d7; rook d2; pawns b7/c5/g4/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh4 — king h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen h8→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h4→g3).
3. Best move: Re3# — rook e5→e3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/1p1q4/6pp/2p1R2k/5Pp1/7P/3r4/6K1 b - - 1 37

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