Chess Puzzle #4kzP5 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rook f2; bishop d5; pawns c4/e4/f6/g2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook d8; knight d4; pawns c5/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5p1p/5Pp1/Q1pBp1q1/2PnP3/8/5RP1/6K1 b - - 2 30

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