Chess Puzzle #3QyVC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook f1; bishop e2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook a8; bishop c8; knight f8; pawns a6/b7/d3/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe2 — pawn d3→e2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b2nk1/qp4pp/p2p4/3N4/2P5/3p4/PP1QB1PP/5R1K b - - 1 22

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