Chess Puzzle #01tAr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/d4; pawns a2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks b7/c7; pawns a7/c3/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b7→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen f6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen d3→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5k2/prr2pp1/4pq2/8/3R4/2pQP1P1/P4P1P/2R3K1 b - - 1 26

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