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

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/b4/c4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rooks c8/f6; pawns a7/b6/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→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: 2rQ3k/p5pp/1p3r2/4p1q1/1PP1P3/8/P4PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 2 22

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