Chess Puzzle #44LIX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen h4; rooks f1/h2; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks e4/f7; pawns a4/c6/c7/d4/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e4→e8).
3. Best move: Rh8# — rook h2→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2rp1/2p5/5q2/p2prP1Q/P7/1PPK3R/5R2 b - - 9 42

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