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

Position

White: king g2; queen e4; rooks c1/d2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook d8; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d2→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/q4pp1/4p2p/1p6/4Q2P/1P4P1/P2R1PK1/2R5 b - - 0 33

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