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

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rooks a1/d1; bishop a5; pawns a2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks a8/b7; knight c6; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1r3ppp/2nQ4/B4q2/2P5/8/P4PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 2 25

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