Chess Puzzle #1Fr1d — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop f4; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/e8; bishops b6/g4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, 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/ppp2ppp/1bn5/3qp3/3P1Bb1/2P2N2/PP1NQPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 3 12

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