Chess Puzzle #09sYR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rooks f1/f7; bishop b5; pawns a2/c2/g5/h4. Black: king h8; rooks d6/d8; bishop e5; pawns a5/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d6→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/1p3Rpp/3r4/pB2b1P1/7P/7K/P1P5/5R2 b - - 4 30

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