Chess Puzzle #0A0WE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d5; rook d1; bishop f3; pawns a3/c3/e5/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook b8; bishops f4/h7; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppb/p6p/qp1QP2P/5bP1/P1P2B2/1K6/3R4 b - - 2 33

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