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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook d1; bishop f6; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen b7; rook g8; bishop e7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f5/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook g8→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4k1r1/1q2bp2/p3pB1p/1p3p2/3Q4/2P3P1/PP3P1P/3R2K1 b - - 2 25

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