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

Position

White: king c1; rook d4; bishop h5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/g6. Black: king g8; rooks e5/g7; pawns a5/f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6r1/6Pp/p3rp1B/2PR4/3P4/PP6/2K5 b - - 0 39

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