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

Position

White: king h3; rooks f3/f7; bishop g7; pawns a3/b4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen e2; rooks a7/e8; knight e6; pawns g6/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight e6→g7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f3→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: 4r2k/r4RBp/4n1p1/8/1P6/P4RPK/4q2P/8 b - - 1 37

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