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

Position

White: king c1; queen d6; rooks d2/h1; pawns b3/c2/e4/g2/h6. Black: king f8; queen g3; rooks b5/b8; bishop e6; pawns a6/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d2→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3k2/5p1p/p2Qb1pP/1r2p3/4P3/1P4q1/2PR2P1/2K4R b - - 2 33

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