Chess Puzzle #0Mhle — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks c7/f7; bishop c4; pawns a2/f2/f3/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b4/f8; bishop f6; pawns a5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop f6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2R2Rpp/5b2/p7/1rB5/5P1P/P4PK1/8 b - - 0 23

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