Chess Puzzle #0Q5LE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e1; bishop b3; pawns a3/c2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; bishops b7/e7; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b2bppp/p7/qp1PQ3/8/PB6/2P2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 25

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