Chess Puzzle #1MGr0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rooks e1/e2; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook a8; bishop h3; knight d5; pawns a5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8 — queen d8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
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: r2qQ2k/6pp/8/p2n4/8/1B3P1b/PPP1R3/4R1K1 b - - 1 31

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