Chess Puzzle #13YGG — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook a1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook a8; knight a4; pawns a5/b5/c4/f5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb2 — knight a4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e2→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen a8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hanging piece, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/8/pp1Q1p2/n1pP4/2P2P1P/PP2q1P1/R5K1 b - - 0 30

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