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

Position

White: king b1; queen d6; rooks d1/h1; pawns a3/b2/c2/h3. Black: king f8; queen b3; rooks c8/h8; bishop f5; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→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, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1r/5ppp/p2Q4/5b2/8/Pq5P/1PP5/1K1R3R b - - 1 25

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