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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook e8; knight e1; pawns b4/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook d7; bishop f8; pawns b7/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook d7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen d4→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Rbk1/1p1r1p1p/3p2p1/3P4/1PPQ4/8/6PP/2q1N1K1 b - - 2 33

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