Chess Puzzle #2CG3t — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/d3; bishop g5; pawns a3/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen b7; rooks a8/h8; bishop b2; pawns a6/b5/c5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop b2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1q3ppp/p3p3/1pp3B1/8/P2R2P1/1bP2P1P/R2Q2K1 b kq - 1 19

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