Chess Puzzle #2AKHe — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f8; rook f1; bishop d6; pawns a3/c5/e6/g2/h2. Black: king a8; queen d4; rook g8; knights c6/e3; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf8 — rook g8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nb8 (knight c6→b8).
3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook f8→b8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k4Qr1/pp4p1/2nBP2p/2P5/3q4/P3n3/6PP/5R1K b - - 6 36

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