Chess Puzzle #2Bq4t — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook e1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king a8; queen f6; rook e2; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook e2→f2, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook e8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k7/pp5p/2p2qp1/8/3P1n2/1P3N2/P3rQPP/4R1K1 b - - 5 34

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