Chess Puzzle #08agz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen a6; rook c2; bishop g4; knight f3; pawns b5/h3. Black: king b8; queen d5; rooks h7/h8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/d6/e5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook h8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen a6→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/p6r/Qpnp4/1P1qp3/6B1/5N1P/2R3K1/8 b - - 0 37

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