Chess Puzzle #3bcTW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d6; queen f6; rooks e6/h1; pawns a3/b4/f4. Black: king d8; queen e3; rooks c4/f8; pawns a4/b5/e4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f8→f6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook h8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3k1r2/8/3KRQ2/1p6/pPr1pP2/P3q3/8/7R b - - 1 46

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