Chess Puzzle #24WLD — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook c8; bishops b4/f5; pawns a2/b5/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook e8; knights e4/f8; pawns a7/b6/d5/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh7 — knight f8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook c8→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight h7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hanging piece, kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R1rnk1/p4ppQ/1p6/1P1p1Bq1/1B1Pn3/8/P4PPP/6K1 b - - 0 21

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