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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook d1; bishop e4; knight a4; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook c8; bishop e6; pawns a5/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/2p1b3/p2pq3/N3B3/1P1QP1P1/P4P1P/3R2K1 b - - 0 23

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