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

Position

White: king g2; queen c7; rooks b4/h1; pawns a3/d4/f2/f3/g3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook c8; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→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: 2r3k1/p1Q2ppp/4p1q1/2p5/1R1P4/P4PP1/5PK1/7R b - - 0 30

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