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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e6; pawns a4/b4/c4/f4/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg3 — queen g6→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp4pp/4R1q1/5p2/PPP2P2/6P1/4Q1P1/6K1 b - - 6 43

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