Chess Puzzle #1V8iA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rook d1; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks e8/g2; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp2pp1/2n4p/3Q4/5q2/8/PPB3r1/1K1R4 b - - 1 25

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