Chess Puzzle #3cZCa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c7; rook e6; pawns a2/c2/c3/h2. Black: king e8; queen f3; rooks a8/h8; knight a6; pawns a7/b6/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king e8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen c7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Rg6# — rook e6→g6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/p1Q5/np2R2p/8/8/2P2q2/P1P4P/2K5 b - - 0 24

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