Chess Puzzle #19wMX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; rooks d1/d3; pawns a4/b2/b3/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king c6; rooks d7/d8; pawns a5/b6/d4/e6/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook d1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c5→b4).
3. Best move: Rc4# — rook c1→c4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rc4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/3r1pp1/1pk1p1p1/p3P3/P2pKP2/1P1R3P/1P4P1/3R4 b - - 3 33

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