Chess Puzzle #1iF3C — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rook g8; pawns a2/b4/f3/g3/g5. Black: king h5; queen e6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4+ — pawn f5→f4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g3→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg4+ (queen e6→g4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: fxg4# — pawn f3→g4, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with fxg4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6R1/ppp2p1p/4q3/5pPk/1P6/5PPK/P7/8 b - - 0 31

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