Chess Puzzle #55L7D — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rook c1; bishop b5; pawns a4/f2/f3/h3. Black: king f8; queen b4; rook c8; knight d6; pawns b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight d6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/3Q1ppp/1p1np3/1B1p4/Pq6/5P1P/5PK1/2R5 b - - 6 35

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