Chess Puzzle #17SVt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen c1; rook g1; pawns a2/d4/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen f3; rook e8; bishop d3; pawns a7/b6/e4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e8→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4ppp/1p6/8/3Pp1PK/3bPq1P/P7/2Q3R1 b - - 5 35

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