Chess Puzzle #4X3VH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d3; rook a1; knight e5; pawns b2/c3/d4/f4/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook h6; knight e2; pawns b5/d5/e6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen h5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/4p2r/1p1pNp1q/3P1P2/2PQ4/1P2n2P/R4K2 b - - 1 29

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