Chess Puzzle #4f1ur — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen f3; rook h1; knight d7; pawns a2/b2/b3/e6. Black: king f8; queen f6; rook d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/e7/f5/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/p2Np1b1/4Pq2/5pp1/8/1P3Q2/PP6/K6R b - - 3 38

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