Chess Puzzle #0suc4 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook c8; pawns a3/b3/e4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook d8; knight f2; pawns a6/b5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd1 — knight f2→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2Rr3k/6pp/p3Q3/1p4q1/4P3/PP4P1/5n1P/6K1 b - - 1 33

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