Chess Puzzle #1w8JS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a4; rook d1; bishop d3; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook e7; knight g6; pawns b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight g6→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p2rppp/2p3n1/6q1/Q2P4/P1PB4/1P3P2/1K1R4 b - - 0 26

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