Chess Puzzle #3BmQF — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen g4; rooks a1/h1; pawns b2/e4/f2/h5. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f6; pawns b4/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook a8→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/1q3r2/7P/1p1pP1Q1/1K6/1P3P2/R6R b - - 1 30

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