Chess Puzzle #52d33 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b2/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d4/e8; pawns a5/b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d4→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f2→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f7→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5ppp/1q6/pp6/2prP3/P6P/1P3QP1/3R1R1K b - - 1 26

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