Chess Puzzle #1td5g — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/d4; bishop e5; pawns b3/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b8/d8; bishop b7; pawns b4/c3/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen f6→e5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d4→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/1b3ppp/4pq2/4B3/1p1R4/1Pp3P1/2P2P1P/R2Q2K1 b - - 4 25

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