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

Position

White: king f1; rooks d1/d8; bishop b1; knight e1; pawns a3/b2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c6; rook f8; bishops b7/e3; pawns b5/c4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook f8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R1r1k/1b3pp1/2q1p2p/1p6/2p5/P3bPP1/1P5P/1B1RNK2 b - - 1 30

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