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

Position

White: king a1; rooks d1/f2; pawns b2/f7/h2. Black: king f8; queen e4; rook d8; bishop d7; pawns a2/e5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: f8=Q# — pawn f7→f8, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with f8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/3b1Pp1/8/4p2p/4q3/8/pP3R1P/K2R4 b - - 1 34

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