Chess Puzzle #00HAM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen f7; rooks a8/f1; pawns b3/c4/d4/d5/g4/h5. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook f8; knight b6; pawns b7/g5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa8 — queen d8→a8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen a8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R2q1r1k/1p3Qpp/1n6/3P2pP/2PP2P1/1P6/2K5/5R2 b - - 0 29

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