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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks e7/g7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d4; rooks c8/g8; knight f6; pawns a7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook g7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f6→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook e7→h7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3r1/pQ2R1Rk/5n1p/8/3q4/7P/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 0 31

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