Chess Puzzle #224Lc — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks a1/e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d2; bishop c8; knight e7; pawns a7/c3/c4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen f6→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight e7→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: Q1b3k1/p3nppp/5q2/8/2p2P2/P1p5/1PPr1PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 1 19

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