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

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks d1/d6; bishop e3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/d7/e5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc6 — pawn d7→c6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen c7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1br3k/p1qp2pp/1pQR1p2/4p3/4P3/4BN2/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 0 17

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