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

Position

White: king e1; queen c7; rooks c1/d2; bishop e3; pawns f2/g2. Black: king f8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishop a6; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen a5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c7→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/p1Q2pp1/bp5p/q7/8/4B3/3R1PP1/2R1K3 b - - 4 29

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