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

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks a1/d1; pawns a3/b4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c2/c8; pawns a6/b7/f5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen b6→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p3ppp/pq6/3QPp2/1P6/P6P/2r3P1/R2R3K b - - 2 25

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