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

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/f1; knights c4/f3; pawns b3/c2/e5/f2/g2. Black: king b8; queen f7; rooks c3/e8; bishop c5; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop c5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→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: 1k2r3/ppp2q1p/8/2b1Pp2/2N3n1/1Pr2N2/2PQ1PP1/1K1R1R2 b - - 3 22

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