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

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f1→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/pp4pp/2p5/2Pp4/8/3Bq3/PPQ3PP/5R1K b - - 0 19

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