Chess Puzzle #2Uz5b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/e1; knight b3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/e8; knight e4; pawns a6/b4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/5ppp/p4q2/3p4/1p2n3/1N2Q3/P4PPP/3RR1K1 b - - 2 28

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