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

Position

White: king g2; queen e4; rooks c1/e2; bishop d2; pawns a3/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c6/c8; knight g4; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c6→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e2→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: 2r3k1/5ppp/1qr5/pp6/4QPn1/P5P1/3BR1K1/2R5 b - - 1 34

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