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

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks f1/h3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook g7; bishop d7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen d8→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rf3+ — rook h3→f3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/pp1b2r1/2n1p3/3p3Q/8/1P5R/P4PPP/5RK1 b - - 5 27

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