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

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rooks f1/f7; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d7/f8; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp1rQRpp/1q6/8/8/2P5/PP4PP/5R1K b - - 2 24

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