Chess Puzzle #FTYW6 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rook c1; bishop c2; pawns b4/g4/h2. Black: king a8; queen h3; rooks a2/c8; pawns a7/b7/f6/f7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook c2→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k1r5/pp3p2/5p2/5Q2/1P4P1/7q/r1B4P/2R4K b - - 4 33

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