Chess Puzzle #1XpiI — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rooks d1/h1; knight f6; pawns a2/c2/c4/d4/f4/g2. Black: king h7; queen e4; rooks a8/g8; pawns a5/b4/c7/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h1→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king h7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh1# — rook d1→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/2p2ppk/4pN1p/p7/1pPPqP2/6Q1/P1P3P1/2KR3R b - - 0 26

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