Chess Puzzle #0fCKl — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rook f1; pawns b2/c2/d3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook c7; pawns a6/b4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen b6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e6→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r2ppp/pQ2q3/8/1p2P3/3P3P/1PP3P1/5RK1 b - - 1 29

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