Chess Puzzle #051tU — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook c1; knight g5; pawns a4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; bishop c8; pawns a5/d4/e5/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d7→d5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2b3k1/3q2pp/8/p2QppN1/P2p4/6P1/4PP1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 35

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