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

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook f1; knight g5; pawns a2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rook a8; bishop e4; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3Qp1/3p2p1/3Pp1N1/1q2b3/8/P5PP/5RK1 b - - 1 25

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