Chess Puzzle #Ef2tq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e1; rooks e4/f8; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2. Black: king d8; queen g6; rooks a8/h5; bishop b7; knight b6; pawns a6/b5/d6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king d8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7+ — rook e4→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight b6→d7).
3. Best move: Qa5# — queen e1→a5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Qa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2k1R2/1b6/pn1p2q1/1p1P3r/4R3/1B6/PPP3P1/2K1Q3 b - - 2 27

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