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

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rooks e1/f6; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen a5; rooks c8/d7; bishop b7; pawns d6/e5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook d7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/1b1r4/3p1R1Q/q3p3/8/7P/PP4P1/4R2K b - - 2 31

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