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

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook f1; bishop e6; pawns e4/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks d8/f8; pawns a4/b7/g6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/1p4pp/4B1p1/8/p2qP3/5Q2/7P/5R1K b - - 1 31

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