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

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks a1/f1; knights c6/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook e8; bishops b6/e4; pawns a7/c4/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf8 — rook e8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rQk1/p5pp/1bN5/3pN3/2pPb2P/2P3P1/PP1q2P1/R4RK1 b - - 0 22

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