Chess Puzzle #2AkQc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook f3; bishop h6; pawns f2/g2/g7. Black: king g8; queen b1; rook c8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: gxf8=Q# — pawn g7→f8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with gxf8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp4Pp/4b2B/8/8/5R2/5PPK/1q6 b - - 1 36

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