Chess Puzzle #1jFE7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; knight g4; pawns a3/b2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg4 — bishop e6→g4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppp2ppp/4bq2/8/6N1/P1P5/1PP1QPPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 18

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