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

Position

White: king e1; rooks f7/h1; bishop h3; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/c4/e2/f2/f3/g3. Black: king b8; queen b4; rook h8; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen b4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Nd8 (knight c6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook f8→d8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k4nr/ppp2R2/2n2p1p/6p1/PqP5/2N2PPB/1P2PP2/4K2R b K - 5 16

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