Chess Puzzle #26So5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks c1/c2; bishop d5; pawns a3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks b8/f8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b6/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/p4Qpp/1p1p4/3Bb3/3qP3/P6P/2R2PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 21

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