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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook e6; knight f3; pawns c2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b7; rook e8; bishop e7; pawns c5/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e6→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1q2b1pp/4Rp2/2p5/8/2PQ1N1P/2P3P1/6K1 b - - 4 31

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