Chess Puzzle #23xWV — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook c2; knight e3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook d2; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b3ppp/p1q1p3/1p6/7Q/P1P1NPP1/1PRr3P/6K1 b - - 0 29

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