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

Position

White: king a2; queen c4; rook f7; pawns b2/b3/h3. Black: king h8; queen g1; rook f8; pawns a5/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1p3Rpp/8/p7/2Q5/1P5P/KP6/6q1 b - - 3 33

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