Learn How to Spot a Mate in 2: Back Rank Mate
This middlegame puzzle is a classic example of a forcing kingside attack that turns into a back rank finish. White’s heavy pieces are active on the open file, and the black king is boxed in by its own pieces and limited escape squares. The key idea is to use a forcing check to drag the defender into a passive square, then finish with a rook capture that cannot be met because of the pin and the cramped king position.