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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e5; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d8; knight d5; pawns a6/c5/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen e4→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/p4q2/2pnR3/2NpQ3/1P4P1/P4P1P/6K1 b - - 4 26

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