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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook b4; pawns a3/c3/d4/f4/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook h5; bishop d5; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg2 — bishop d5→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen c6→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/2q1p2p/3b3r/1R1P1P2/P1PQ2P1/6P1/6K1 b - - 8 50

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