Chess Puzzle #0YbLf — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e6; rooks f1/f3; bishop d6; pawns a3/b3/d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook d8; knight e4; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe6 — pawn f7→e6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4ppp/1p1BQ3/4P1q1/3Pn3/PP3R1P/6PK/5R2 b - - 0 42

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.