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

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rook d1; bishop b1; pawns a3/b2/f2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook c8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g2/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rQ2k1/1p3pp1/p4n1p/8/8/P6q/1P3Pp1/1B1R2K1 b - - 1 31

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