Chess Puzzle #2LC7v — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen a6; rook c1; knight b3; pawn a2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks c8/d1; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e4→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4ppp/Qp6/2p5/4q3/1N6/PK6/2Rr4 b - - 10 38

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