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

Position

White: king e1; rooks b1/c2; knight f5; pawns a4/b4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a7/d5; bishops c4/d4; pawns e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop c4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4ppp/8/3rpN2/PPbb4/8/2R3PP/1R2K3 b - - 2 30

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