Chess Puzzle #0hEq7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks d1/g1; knight f7; pawns b4/c5/f3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a2/f8; knight f4; pawns c6/e6/f5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/5N1p/2p1p3/2P2p2/1P3n2/5P2/r6P/3R2RK b - - 6 31

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