Chess Puzzle #1Rd7u — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook b1; knight g5; pawns a2/c3/c5/e5/f4. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook e2; bishop a6; pawns a5/c6/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook e2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop a6→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/b1p1p3/p1P1P1Nq/5P2/2P3Q1/P3r3/1R4K1 b - - 0 32

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