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

Position

White: king h1; queen d6; rook e4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f6/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook h5; bishop a6; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen d8→d6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q3k/p4p1p/bp1Q1Pp1/7r/3PR3/2N5/PP4PP/7K b - - 0 25

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