Chess Puzzle #2Oa2Y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook c1; knight b1; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rook h8; bishop c6; pawns f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop c6→a4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop a4→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q3kr/5ppp/2b5/8/Q7/8/5PPP/1NR3K1 b - - 10 24

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