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

Position

White: king f6; rooks d6/h1; pawns a2/b4/h5. Black: king g8; rooks e2/g4; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook g4→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p1p/p2R1Kp1/7P/1P4r1/8/P3r3/7R b - - 2 31

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