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

Position

White: king h2; queen c8; rook c2; knight d4; pawns a2/e3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen e1; rook b8; pawns a7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (1 move)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook b8→c8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c2→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 1, one move. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rQ4k/p5pp/5p2/8/3N4/4P1PP/P1R2P1K/4q3 b - - 4 36

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