Chess Puzzle #2R3XD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e5; bishop b3; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen f6→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e5→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: r1b3k1/ppp2ppp/5q2/4R3/8/1BP5/P4PPP/R2Q2K1 b - - 0 16

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