Chess Puzzle #17t2T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen h6; rook e5; bishop d4; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook f7; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/d5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg2 — queen g4→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, kill-box mate, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b3k1/p4r1p/1p4pQ/3pR3/3B2q1/2P1K3/P5PP/8 b - - 0 38

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