Chess Puzzle #Dftms — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/f1; bishop g5; knights b3/c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook a8; bishops c8/e7; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd8 — bishop e7→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bQ2k1/1p2bppp/p3pn2/4p1B1/2q5/1NN2P2/PPP3PP/3R1RK1 b - - 0 16

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