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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks e1/f1; bishop f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks f8/h8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook f8→f5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook h8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k2r1r/pppn4/3q3p/3p1Bp1/3P1P2/2P5/PP2Q1PP/4RRK1 b - - 0 21

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