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

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook g1; bishop h2; knight e2; pawns b4/c3/e5. Black: king g8; queen h6; rook d8; knight f5; pawns b6/c4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d2→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/1p2p2q/4Pn2/1Pp5/2P2Q2/4N2B/6RK b - - 2 43

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