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

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rook e2; bishop g3; knight f6; pawns a2/b3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook c8; bishop h7; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen c6→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4ppb/2q2N1p/2p1Q3/6P1/1P4BP/P3R2K/8 b - - 0 36

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