Chess Puzzle #1if1A — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rook a1; knight g4; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen c2; rook b1; bishop d3; pawns b5/c4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook b1→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight g4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8# — queen f7→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5Qpk/7p/1p6/2p3N1/P2b3P/2q2PPK/Rr6 b - - 4 27

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