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

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rook c1; pawns b3/c4/f3/h2. Black: king f7; queen c6; rook f8; bishop h3; pawns a6/b7/c7/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king f7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook c1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Bg2+ (bishop h3→g2, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxg2# — rook g1→g2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1pp2k2/p1q1p3/7Q/2P4p/1P3P1b/7P/2R4K b - - 3 31

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