Chess Puzzle #2C5SA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e4; rook e2; bishop f4; pawns a4/b3/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks a8/b8; bishop a5; pawns c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e4→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: rr4k1/5ppp/2p5/b7/P3QB2/1P4P1/2P1RPKP/3q4 b - - 8 30

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