Chess Puzzle #11CXZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook c1; bishop d5; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rook a7; bishop e6; knight d4; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook a7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4ppp/4b3/pp1B2N1/3n3P/P7/1P1K1PP1/2R5 b - - 0 24

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