Chess Puzzle #2pEYD — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks f1/f2; pawns a4/b2/g6/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks d4/d8; pawns a7/b7/c3/c4/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb2 — pawn c3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f2→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp1q2p1/6P1/8/P1pr4/2p2Q1P/1P3R2/5R1K b - - 2 34

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