Chess Puzzle #PXDnj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f6; rook g1; pawns a2/c3/d4/e3/f4/h4. Black: king h6; queen c8; rook g7; knight g6; pawns a7/b6/e4/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg6+ — rook g1→g6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook g7→g6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen f6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q5/p5r1/1p3Qnk/5p1p/3PpP1P/2P1P3/P4K2/6R1 b - - 3 38

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