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

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rook d1; bishops c2/h6; pawns a3/c3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook c6; knights a5/e8; pawns a6/b5/c5/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight e8→g7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight g7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4n1k1/q4pQ1/p1r4B/npp1P3/8/P1P4P/2B2PP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 25

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