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

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/d6/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/pp3Qpp/2np4/5p2/8/8/P4PPP/R1B1R1K1 b - - 0 19

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