Chess Puzzle #0Wj49 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d8; rooks c1/d2; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook b8; bishop b5; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook b8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop b5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r1Q2k1/5ppp/p7/1b2pq2/8/7P/3R2P1/2R4K b - - 0 32

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