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

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rooks f1/g5; pawns a2/c6/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e6; rook d8; bishop c8; pawns a7/e2/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Qg8 (queen e6→g8).
3. Best move: Rgxg8# — rook g5→g8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rgxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2br3k/p6p/2P1q3/6R1/3Q4/7P/P3p1P1/5R1K b - - 0 34

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