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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop f6; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b3/c3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops e7/g4; pawns a6/b7/c5/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures rook, 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, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1pq1bppp/p4B2/2pp4/6b1/1PPP1N2/P2NQPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 15

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