Chess Puzzle #0u9HV — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c7; pawns a3/b6/f2/g3/h4. Black: king a8; queen e4; rook f8; pawns a6/b7/e6/g4/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen e4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook f8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k4r2/1pR3p1/pP2p3/8/4q1pP/P5P1/5P2/2R3K1 b - - 0 30

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