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

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks f1/f3; pawns c5/d2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/d8; knight c6; pawns a4/b4/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf8 — rook d8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2r1Q1k/6pp/2n5/2P1p3/pp6/5R2/3P2PP/5RK1 b - - 3 29

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