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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/d1; bishop b2; pawns a2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen g5→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp3ppp/2p1p3/4P1q1/8/3Q4/PB3PPP/2RR2K1 b - - 0 20

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