Chess Puzzle #1M5sl — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks e6/f1; bishop h6; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks b6/f7; bishop g6; pawns a7/c5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen d8→d2, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/p4r1p/1r2RpbB/2p5/8/P6P/3Q2P1/5RK1 b - - 0 31

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