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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/d2; pawns a2/b3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c8/e5; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen f6→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4pp1/4pq1p/2p1r3/5P2/1P5P/P1QR2P1/3R2K1 b - - 0 29

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