Chess Puzzle #0I77g — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen b4; rook c1; bishop g5; pawns a3/b2/e5. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks c8/h5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen c7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe7# — queen b4→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k3/2q2pp1/p3p3/1p2P1Br/1Q6/P7/1P6/K1R5 b - - 5 30

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