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

Position

White: king f1; rook c8; knight e8; pawns f5/g2/g4. Black: king h6; rooks a5/a7; pawns e6/f7/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc6+ — rook c8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Rxf6# — rook c6→f6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R1N3/r4p1p/4p2k/r4Pp1/6P1/8/6P1/5K2 b - - 0 39

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