Chess Puzzle #7V2fJ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks d6/e1; pawns a4/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen g4; rooks a8/d8; pawns a5/f5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen c6→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2r1k2/5pp1/2QR3p/p4p2/P5q1/6P1/1P3P1P/4R2K b - - 0 28

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