Chess Puzzle #1m8ps — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f8; rooks f1/f5; pawns a3/b2/e6/h3. Black: king h8; queen g3; rooks c8/e8; pawns a7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf8 — rook e8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f5→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→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: 2r1rQ1k/p5pp/4P3/5R2/8/P5qP/1P6/5R1K b - - 3 31

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