Chess Puzzle #1tx8W — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks c1/d4; pawns a3/b4/f5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; bishop g6; pawns a6/b5/c2/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen c7→e5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2q2ppp/p5b1/1p2QP2/1P1R2P1/P6P/2p5/2R3K1 b - - 0 35

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