Chess Puzzle #5DIcH — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks e8/f2; pawns a2/b3/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook b8; bishop d3; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook b8→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f7→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2R1k1/p1p2ppp/8/8/3q1Q2/1P1b4/P1P2RPP/6K1 b - - 0 23

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