Chess Puzzle #3M6ok — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen a6; knight f5; pawns a4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king f8; rooks b3/c1; knight e6; pawns a5/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcb1 — rook c1→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nd8 (knight e6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5pp1/Q3n2p/p1p2N2/P7/1r3PKP/6P1/2r5 b - - 0 38

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