Chess Puzzle #8ZAIp — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rooks b1/f1; pawns a3/d6/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks c2/f8; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook c2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8# — rook b1→b8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/4Qppp/3Pp3/5q2/8/P5P1/2r2P1P/1R3RK1 b - - 4 32

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