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

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rook g1; bishops a3/c4; knight c3; pawns c2/d3/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks e8/g6; bishop f3; pawns a6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg1 — rook g6→g1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f7→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, fork, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1qp2ppp/p5r1/8/2B2Q2/B1NP1b1P/2P2P1K/6R1 b - - 8 28

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