Chess Puzzle #4EfcI — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h4; rook d8; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g4. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook f8; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen c3→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen h4→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R1rk1/5pp1/4p3/1p6/1P4PQ/P1q1P3/5PK1/8 b - - 4 34

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