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

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook e1; knight h2; pawns a3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b2; rook c8; bishops b7/d4; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen b2→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen g4→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop b7→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/1b3ppp/p7/1p6/3b2Q1/P4P1P/1q4PN/4R2K b - - 1 27

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