Chess Puzzle #12g7d — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rooks d1/f1; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c5; rook e2; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen c5→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/pp5p/8/2q1bN2/8/5K1P/PP2r3/3R1R2 b - - 2 36

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