Chess Puzzle #3axMP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f1; bishop e4; pawns a2/b3/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook a8; bishop e8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop e4→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f1→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3b1k1/pp4pp/2p1p3/8/2PqB3/1P6/P1Q3PP/5R1K b - - 1 20

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