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

Position

White: king d1; queen f1; rook a1; bishops b3/g3; pawns a2/b2/d3/g4. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e3; bishops a5/c8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg3 — rook e3→g3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qe8# — queen f7→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/ppp2ppp/8/b7/3n2P1/1B1Pr1B1/PP6/R2K1Q2 b - - 14 24

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