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

Position

White: king b1; queen a5; rook d1; knight e4; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen e6; rook e8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen e6→e4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a5→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/pp6/2b1q2p/Q7/4N3/P7/1PP2PPP/1K1R4 b - - 0 24

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