Chess Puzzle #24sOd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen f6; rook e1; bishop f7; pawns a2/f2/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook f8; bishop d3; pawns a7/b7/d4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp3B1p/5Q2/7P/3p2P1/3b1K2/P1q2P2/4R3 b - - 0 24

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