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

Position

White: king f1; rooks a3/f8; knight f5; pawns c3/e4/g4. Black: king g8; rook b2; knight h3; pawns e5/f6/f7/h5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook b2→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: 5Rk1/5p2/5p2/4pN1p/4P1P1/R1P4n/1r6/5K2 b - - 0 42

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