Chess Puzzle #LDN1A — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks g2/h2; pawns a4/b3/c2/d3/e4/f3. Black: king h7; queen e6; rooks c5/e7; pawns a5/b6/d4/e5/f4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcc7 — rook c5→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen e6→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg8# — queen g5→g8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4r2k/1p2q2p/p1r1p1Q1/P2pPp2/1P1P1P2/2P3RR/6K1 b - - 7 37

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