Chess Puzzle #00Cfq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook c7; knight g5; pawns a2/b3/e5/g4. Black: king g8; rooks d4/h2; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook h2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d4→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/ppR2pp1/4p1p1/4P1N1/3r2P1/1P4K1/P6r/8 b - - 5 30

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