Chess Puzzle #1Qe7M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook a1; bishop e4; pawns f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rook c7; knight d4; pawns b4/c4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r2pp1/7p/8/1ppnBPP1/7P/8/R4K2 b - - 1 38

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