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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; bishop a4; knight f3; pawns a2/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishop b7; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/c6/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→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, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pb3ppp/1ppp1q2/3P4/B1P1Qn2/5N2/P4PPP/4R1K1 b - - 2 21

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