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

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rook d1; pawns a3/b4/e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook c3; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook c3→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen g5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3ppp/p1q1p3/3pP1Q1/1P6/P1r3P1/5P1P/3R2K1 b - - 2 25

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