Chess Puzzle #16ev6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; rook f1; bishop e4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e3; rook f8; pawns a7/d6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook f8→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f1→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p5p1/3p3p/8/3PB2Q/2P1q2P/PP4PK/5R2 b - - 2 27

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