Chess Puzzle #03spI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rook d1; knight f5; pawns b3/c4/f2/g4/h6. Black: king h8; queen f4; rooks a3/f8; pawns b4/e5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfa8 — rook f8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/7p/7P/4pN2/1pP2qP1/rP1Q4/5P2/1K1R4 b - - 3 36

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