Chess Puzzle #0wfZ0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks f1/f7; knight h2; pawns a4/b4/e3. Black: king b8; rooks c2/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c2→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook g8→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: 1k4r1/ppp2R2/3p4/4p1p1/PP6/4P3/2r4N/5RK1 b - - 1 28

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