Chess Puzzle #e5U59 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rooks b3/c6; pawns a2/b2/d5/h4. Black: king a8; queen d6; rooks d7/f5; pawns a6/b7/c7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa6+ — queen d3→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxa6 (pawn b7→a6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa6# — rook c6→a6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxa6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k7/1ppr4/p1Rq2p1/3P1r1p/7P/1R1Q4/PP6/1K6 b - - 9 30

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