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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook d1; bishop b1; pawns e3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook c3; bishop b7; pawns b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop b7→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen g5→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b3pp1/1p2p2p/6q1/8/2r1PP1P/3Q2P1/1B1R2K1 b - - 1 26

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