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

Position

White: king h1; queen a3; rook c1; bishop d3; pawns b5/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e3; rook f8; bishop e6; pawns b6/d5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf8# — queen a3→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/5pp1/1p2b2p/1P1p4/8/Q2Bq2P/6P1/2R4K b - - 7 31

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