Chess Puzzle #0FmcD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; rook c7; pawns d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; rook f8; bishop g6; pawns a6/b6/d5/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2R4p/pp4bQ/3p1p2/3P4/4P2P/6PK/q7 b - - 3 38

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