Chess Puzzle #9G0yd — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen g6; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c2/c5/g5. Black: king c8; queen e7; rooks e8/h2; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/e6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen e7→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen g6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen e8→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/pp2q3/2p1p1Q1/2P3P1/4p3/8/PPP4r/1K1R4 b - - 0 30

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