Chess Puzzle #1Ffke — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rooks f1/f5; pawns a2/b4/c3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks e3/e8; pawns a6/b5/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen f6→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f5→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f2→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/6pp/p4q2/1p1p1R2/1P5P/2P1r3/P4QP1/5R1K b - - 0 30

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