Chess Puzzle #01rK7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c8; bishop d4; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook e8; pawns f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook e8→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rh8# — rook c8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R1r1k1/5p2/6p1/7p/3B4/7P/q4PP1/2R3K1 b - - 7 37

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