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

Position

White: king c1; queen e8; rook e1; bishop g6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g4. Black: king h8; queen h3; rook g8; bishop f3; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen h3→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg8+ — queen e8→g8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Q1rk/pp4p1/2p2pBp/8/3P2P1/5b1q/PPP2P2/2K1R3 b - - 5 27

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