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

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook d1; bishop b2; pawns e3/e5/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook e8; bishop f5; pawns b5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen c6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop f5→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5ppp/2Q5/1p2Pb2/8/4PP2/qB4P1/3R2K1 b - - 0 31

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