Chess Puzzle #3eNw3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rook b2; knight f3; pawns d4/f6/h3. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook a8; knight f4; pawns b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a8→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e3→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3p1p/2p2Pp1/8/3P1nQ1/4qN1P/1R5K/8 b - - 2 33

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