Chess Puzzle #1Au8O — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d6; bishop e4; pawns a3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; bishop f6; knight e5; pawns a5/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen b2→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop f6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/3R1b2/p3n2p/4B3/P3P1P1/1q3P1P/3R2K1 b - - 1 33

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