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

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook d1; bishop a4; pawns a2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen a1; rook h8; bishops e7/g6; pawns f4/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen a1→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe8# — queen e2→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/4bpp1/6b1/8/B4p2/5P2/P1P1Q1PP/q2R3K b - - 2 27

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