Chess Puzzle #1UDu6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rook f2; pawns a2/b2/c3/h2. Black: king h8; queen g4; rooks a8/h5; bishop d1; pawns a6/c5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba4 — bishop d1→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop a4→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen a8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r6k/6pp/p7/2pQ1p1r/6q1/2P5/PP3R1P/3b1K2 b - - 1 30

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