Chess Puzzle #0AfxJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f5; rook d1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f6. Black: king f8; rooks g4/h3; knight g2; pawns a7/b7/c7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook g4→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: e6# — pawn e5→e6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with e6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/ppp5/5P2/4PK2/2B3r1/7r/PPP3n1/3R4 b - - 1 35

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