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

Position

White: king h1; queen e8; rooks c3/e1; pawns a2/b3/d4/g2. Black: king b8; queen g4; rooks g6/g8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f4/h2/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook g8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen g4→c8).
3. Best move: Rcxc8# — rook c3→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rcxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k2Q1r1/pp5p/6r1/3p4/3P1pq1/1PR5/P5Pp/4R2K b - - 11 33

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