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

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rooks f1/f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/g2/g3. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook g8; pawns a6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook g8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4Q1rk/6pp/p7/6q1/3P4/P4RP1/1PP3P1/5RK1 b - - 0 27

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