Chess Puzzle #22RQm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks d7/f1; pawns a2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c3; rooks e8/f8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd7 — bishop f5→d7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f2→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→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: 4rr1k/pppR2pp/8/5b2/8/2q4P/P1P2QP1/5RK1 b - - 1 22

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