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

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks a1/f1; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook f8; pawns d5/e2/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 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: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5Qpp/8/3p4/8/7P/3qp1P1/R4R1K b - - 0 38

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