Chess Puzzle #1S7dh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen e2; rooks a8/c8; pawns b4/f6/g4. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook h2; bishop f8; pawns e6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe2 — queen b2→e2, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rh8# — rook f8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R1R2bk1/5p2/4pPp1/8/1P4P1/6K1/1q2Q2r/8 b - - 7 45

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