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

Position

White: king f2; queen e3; rook e1; pawns a3/f6. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook d8; bishop g6; pawns a5/c7/d3/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2p2p1p/5Pb1/p7/6q1/P2pQ3/5K2/4R3 b - - 0 37

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