Chess Puzzle #0w16V — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook d1; bishop g2; pawns a4/c4/d7/f5. Black: king h8; queen g3; rook d8; knight e5; pawns a5/b6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: dxe8=Q# — pawn d7→e8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with dxe8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/3P2pp/1p3p2/p3nP2/P1P5/6q1/4Q1B1/3R3K b - - 0 61

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