Chess Puzzle #4CHa4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f1; rook e2; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/g3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rook f8; pawns a7/b7/d5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook f8→f1, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f1→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: 5r1k/pp4p1/1q5p/3p4/6P1/3B2PP/PP2R1K1/5Q2 b - - 0 26

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