Chess Puzzle #0M3nx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rook c1; knight f3; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; knight e7; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q3k1/4nppp/4p3/3q4/3P4/4PN2/5PPP/2R3K1 b - - 0 21

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