Chess Puzzle #2E0Ne — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks b8/d7; pawns a3/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/h7; bishop c6; pawns a6/c4/d5/e6/f5/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook a8→b8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen b4→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen g6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen b8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: rR4k1/3R2pr/p1b1p1q1/3pPp2/1Qp5/P4P2/6PP/6K1 b - - 7 34

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