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

Position

White: king g1; rooks f1/f5; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rook e8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen b6→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f5→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/ppp3p1/1qn4p/5R2/3P4/2P5/PPB3PP/5RK1 b - - 1 23

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