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

Position

White: king c1; queen h7; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishops d7/f6; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/d4/d6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e8→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh8 (knight g6→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxh8# — rook h1→h8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rqrk2/1p1b1ppQ/p2p1bn1/3N4/3pP3/5P2/PPP5/2KR1B1R b - - 3 22

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