Chess Puzzle #1omQ1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks a1/d4; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks d8/e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d4→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e4→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/ppp2ppp/8/8/2qRQB2/2P2P2/PP4PP/R6K b - - 0 20

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