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

Position

White: king c4; rook b2; pawns e5/f4/g6/h5. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook d3; pawns e6/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd5 — rook d3→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b2→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook b8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/4p1Pp/4Pp1P/2K2P2/3r4/1R6/4q3 b - - 4 43

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