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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks c1/e1; bishop d2; pawns a4/b3/c2/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks c8/d8; bishop f6; pawns a5/b6/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook c8→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→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: 2rr2k1/5ppp/1p3b2/p7/P2pQ3/1P4Pq/2PB1P2/2R1R1K1 b - - 0 30

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