Chess Puzzle #20vVD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rooks e1/e8; pawns b2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d4; bishop g6; knight g7; pawns a7/c7/d3/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe8 — bishop g6→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe8 (knight g7→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf8# — queen h6→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4R2k/p1p3np/6bQ/8/3q4/1P1p3P/1P4P1/4R2K b - - 2 35

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