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

Position

White: king f2; queen g4; rook e1; pawns a2/b3/c4/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen h2; rook e8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e1→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4ppp/1p6/2p5/2P3QP/1P6/P4KPq/4R3 b - - 0 31

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