Chess Puzzle #1J0Sh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook e2; pawns a2/b3/c3/f3/f5/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rook h4; knight d1; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe2 — queen e7→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e2→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen b8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/pp2q1pp/2p5/5P2/7r/1PP2PQ1/P3R2P/3n2K1 b - - 1 27

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