Chess Puzzle #0g8d4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; pawns a5/d5/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook e5; pawns a6/b7/c2/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd2 — queen c1→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p1p/p2p1Pp1/P2Pr3/6Q1/7P/2p3PK/2q5 b - - 3 36

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