Chess Puzzle #0ny1u — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks e8/f1; pawns a5/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook a8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen c7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f7→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1R1k1/1pQ3pp/p4n2/P2p2q1/8/8/1P4PP/5R1K b - - 5 25

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