Chess Puzzle #11YAo — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/a7; pawns e3/e5/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook a8; knight c4; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a8→a7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→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: r5k1/R4ppp/2q1p3/4P3/2n5/4P1P1/3Q1PP1/R5K1 b - - 0 26

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