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

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rook a5; knight f3; pawns d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c8; pawns f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen c8→d7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2q4k/3Q2pp/5p2/R7/3P4/5NP1/5PKP/8 b - - 0 30

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