Chess Puzzle #14XxV — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks c1/h1; bishop e1; knight f1; pawns b2/d5/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rooks a2/b8; bishops c2/e7; pawns d6/e5/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxa2 — king a1→a2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook b8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ba5 (bishop e1→a5).
3. Best move: Rxa5# — rook a8→a5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4b1p1/3p3p/3Ppp2/7P/5P2/rPb3P1/K1R1BN1R w - - 0 27

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