Chess Puzzle #29YbK — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook c2; pawns f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook c8; bishop b2; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen b5→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: 2r3k1/p4ppp/1p5P/1q6/8/8/1bRQ1PP1/6K1 b - - 0 38

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