Chess Puzzle #13vk1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rook a1; knight b3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook e8; bishop g3; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5ppp/p7/1p6/8/PN4bP/1PP2qP1/R2Q3K b - - 4 25

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