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

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; bishop c1; knight d6; pawns b2/e5/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook a1; bishops h3/h4; knight d3; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc1 — knight d3→c1, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop h4→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2R2ppp/3Np3/4P3/7b/3n1PPb/1P5P/r1B3K1 b - - 8 29

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