Chess Puzzle #0D9pA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rook d1; knight e6; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rook e7; knight e5; pawns a6/b7/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd8 — queen b6→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3Q3k/1p2r1pp/pq2N3/4np2/8/P6P/1P3PP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 25

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