Chess Puzzle #0192c — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen b7; rooks a1/e1; bishop d6; pawns a3/c5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook c8; bishop f5; knight h5; pawns c6/d4/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg2 — queen e2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop f5→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1Q3ppp/2pB4/2Pp1b1n/3p3K/P4P2/4q1PP/R3R3 b - - 3 24

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