Chess Puzzle #2QtB5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c3; rook e3; pawns b2/c4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h1; rook b1; pawns b5/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen c3→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/6pp/1p6/2P5/2Q1R2P/1P2KP2/1r5q b - - 1 34

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