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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook d1; bishop e3; pawns b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e2; rook e7; bishop f6; pawns a5/b6/c7/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen e2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/2p1r1pp/1p1p1b2/p2Q4/8/1P2B2P/4qPP1/3R2K1 b - - 7 30

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