Chess Puzzle #XGDXg — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook c8; knight g5; pawns a4/b3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook f6; bishop d3; pawns a5/b4/d4/e5/f4/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R3k1/6p1/5rq1/p3p1N1/Pp1p1p1Q/1P1b4/6PP/6K1 b - - 2 38

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