Chess Puzzle #1o95s — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e7; rook f7; pawns a3/b2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c2; rooks a8/h6; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen c2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e7→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r6k/pp2QR1p/5p1r/2p5/8/P2P3P/1Pq3PK/8 b - - 1 30

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