Chess Puzzle #5ILDu — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rook c6; pawns d4/e4/g2/g4. Black: king h5; queen f1; rook f2; pawns f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg4 — king h5→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen e5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g4→h5).
3. Best move: Qh3# — queen g3→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/2R4p/4Q1pk/3PP1P1/8/5rPK/5q2 b - - 0 39

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