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

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/d7; pawns b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen b6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p1r1ppp/1Qp1p1q1/8/8/8/P4PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 2 28

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