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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks d1/d7; bishop e3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks c7/e8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rec8 — rook e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pqrR1ppp/1p6/4b3/6Q1/4B2P/P4PP1/3R2K1 b - - 3 24

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