Chess Puzzle #1JMsq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e1; pawns a4/b2/c3/d4/f2/f3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook a8; pawns a5/b6/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen f5→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, 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, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/1pp5/p3Qq2/P2P4/2P2P2/1P3P2/4R1K1 b - - 2 26

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