Chess Puzzle #0bT5B — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rook c2; bishop b2; pawns d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b8; rooks b3/b6; pawns a2/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b3→b2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen c1→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1q4k1/5ppp/1r2p3/8/3P4/1r5P/pBR2PP1/2Q3K1 b - - 3 46

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