Chess Puzzle #3g8LM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen g4; rook c1; pawns a3/e4/f6/h5. Black: king d7; queen b3; rook b8; pawns a4/d6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king d7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen g4→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/3k1p2/3p1Pp1/4p2P/p3P1Q1/Pq6/8/K1R5 b - - 2 39

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