Chess Puzzle #1Bj2q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen h6; rooks f1/f6; knight g6; pawns a2/b4/c4/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/g7; bishop h3; knight e2; pawns a7/b7/c6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook g7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8+ (rook d8→f8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppq3r1/2p2RNQ/8/1PP1P3/6Pb/P3nK1P/5R2 b - - 4 30

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