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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook b1; bishop g3; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; knight d5; pawns c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen f6→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook b1→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/2p1pq2/3n4/8/1Q4B1/5PPP/1R4K1 b - - 1 37

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