Chess Puzzle #0v2Hk — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rook c1; bishop g5; knights b3/f3; pawns a3/b4/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rook h8; bishops a4/f8; knight f5; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop a4→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen a6→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/p2q1ppp/Qp2p3/3pPnB1/bP1P4/PN3N2/5PPP/2R3K1 b k - 3 19

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