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

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; pawns c5/e7/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rook a8; bishop g6; pawns b7/c6/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f4→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: exf8=Q# — pawn e7→f8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with exf8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p2P1pp/2p3b1/2Pp4/5Q2/3q4/6PP/5RK1 b - - 0 27

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