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

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rooks a1/e1; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook a8; bishop d6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop d6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3Q2k/ppp3pp/3b4/6q1/3n4/8/PP4PP/RN2R1K1 b - - 1 19

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