Chess Puzzle #4IS81 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks a1/f1; bishop d6; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c8/h7; bishops a5/g4; knight c6; pawns a7/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4Qpr/2nB3p/b2p2q1/3P2b1/P7/1PP3PP/R4RK1 b - - 3 23

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