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

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c7/c8; pawns a5/b5/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r2ppp/4p3/pp1p4/3RP3/2P5/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 0 24

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