Chess Puzzle #2FIO6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rook e1; bishop a5; knight f1; pawns f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; bishop b4; knight d7; pawns a6/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop b4→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1Q5k/3n2pp/p7/B2p4/1b1q4/5P2/6PP/4RN1K b - - 0 29

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