Chess Puzzle #0t4wL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook a6; bishop f6; pawns d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rook b3; bishop b1; pawns a3/c4/d5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king g7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook b3→b8).
3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook a8→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pkp/R4B2/3p4/2pP4/pr3P1P/6PK/1b6 b - - 0 42

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