Chess Puzzle #330og — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks e8/h2; knight e1; pawns a5/b4/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/f7; knight b8; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen g4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn2R1k1/1p3rpp/p1p2p2/P2p4/1P1P2Q1/2q4P/6PR/4N1K1 b - - 3 26

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