Chess Puzzle #1kv96 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishops g5/h5; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2. Black: king b8; queen h7; rook h8; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh5 — queen h7→h5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Nd8 (knight c6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook e8→d8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k4nr/ppp2p1q/2n5/6BB/2N5/2P3p1/PP4P1/R3R1K1 b - - 3 20

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