Chess Puzzle #2Ec2a — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook b1; bishop c3; pawns c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a4; rook a8; bishop e6; pawns c5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen a4→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen d6→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop e6→c8).
4. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p1p/3Qb1p1/2p5/q7/2B5/2P2PPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 26

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