Chess Puzzle #4iw58 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rook d1; bishop a2; pawns a3/c3/e4/f2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook g7; bishop h6; knight f4; pawns b5/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen d7→g4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g7→g8).
3. Best move: Rxg8# — rook d8→g8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/3q2rp/6pb/1p2p3/4PnQ1/P1P4P/B4P1K/3R4 b - - 3 39

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