Chess Puzzle #08zi1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks a2/e6; pawns d4/e5/h4. Black: king h7; rook c1; bishops e4/h6; pawns c4/d5/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop h6→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a2→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e6→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/7k/4R2b/3pPp2/2pPb2P/8/R4K2/2r5 b - - 6 51

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