Chess Puzzle #1TE8E — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen d4; rook e4; pawns a3/b2/c3/f3/g5. Black: king h7; queen f7; rook c8; bishop e6; pawns a6/b5/c4/e7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook e4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen d4→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/4pq1k/p3b1p1/1p4P1/2pQR3/P1P2P2/KP6/8 b - - 0 41

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