Chess Puzzle #2nRKc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g5; queen a6; rook c5; pawns a4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h1; rook b4; pawns a5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen h1→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qf6# — queen a6→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/Q5p1/p1R3K1/Pr4P1/4P2P/5P2/7q b - - 12 39

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