Chess Puzzle #2AiUc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; bishops f6/g2; pawns b3/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook e7; pawns a7/b5/f7/g4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e7→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3rp1p/5Bp1/1p6/5Pp1/1PP3P1/q5BP/3Q3K b - - 0 27

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