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

Position

White: king c1; queen f6; rook h7; bishop f7; pawns a2/b2/c4. Black: king e8; queen d7; rook f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b4/c7/d4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/2pq1B1R/p1n2Q2/8/1pPp4/8/PP6/2K5 b - - 0 32

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