Chess Puzzle #1fV0H — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rook f4; bishop d6; pawns c5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook e8; bishop d5; pawns c6/e4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen f7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f4→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5q1p/2pB2pQ/2Pb4/4pR2/8/6PP/7K b - - 0 39

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