Chess Puzzle #24cDQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook e1; knight c6; pawns a2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen f5; rooks e8/f4; pawns a7/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king f7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe7# — queen b7→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pQ3kpp/2N5/3p1q2/3P1r2/2P5/P5PP/4R1K1 b - - 4 26

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