Chess Puzzle #27NFb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook d1; bishop h6; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook c8; knight e6; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight e6→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pq3p1p/1p2n1pB/8/8/2PQ3P/P4PP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 27

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