Chess Puzzle #16rsI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c7/d1; bishop e3; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a2/c8; bishop e6; knight f5; pawns f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight f5→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2R2ppp/4b3/5n2/8/4B2P/r4PP1/3R2K1 b - - 2 24

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