Chess Puzzle #1Gu7o — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c7; rook h1; knight e2; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks b1/h8; bishops d7/f8; pawns a7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh1 — rook b1→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen c7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/p1Qbpppp/8/8/8/8/P3NKPP/1r5R b k - 1 18

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