Chess Puzzle #1AggN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d5; rooks b1/e1; bishop e7; pawns e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks e8/g6; pawns a4/a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e8→e7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp2Bppp/q5r1/3QP3/p7/7P/6PK/1R2R3 b - - 0 36

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