Chess Puzzle #2C8Rc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen h5; rooks c1/e2; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2. Black: king b8; queen d3; rook e4; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/e5/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e4→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop b6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen h8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp3p2/1b6/3Pp2Q/4r3/3q4/PP2RP2/2R2K2 b - - 0 25

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