Chess Puzzle #48AHC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook f1; bishop c1; pawns c3/d4/e5/g5. Black: king g8; queens a1/g6; rook f8; pawns b6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6pp/1p4q1/3QP1P1/3P4/2P5/8/q1B2RK1 b - - 1 42

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