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

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks a7/e1; knight g3; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook c2; bishop g6; pawns c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen f4→b8).
3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook a8→b8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Qk1/R4pp1/2p3bp/8/5q2/2P3NP/P1r2PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 23

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