Chess Puzzle #0Gld8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rook f1; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook a8; pawns b6/b7/c7/d6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen d4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
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: r6k/1pp4p/1p1p3Q/8/3q4/8/PP4PP/5R1K b - - 2 23

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