Chess Puzzle #0D7lR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e6; rooks a1/a3; pawns f4/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rook b5; bishop e4; pawns b6/c4/c7/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook b5→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa8 (bishop e4→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa8# — rook a1→a8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxa8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2p3p1/1p2K2p/1r3p2/2p1bP2/R5P1/7P/R7 b - - 2 39

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