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

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d5; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e3; bishop d7; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/c7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2pb1pp1/p7/1p1Rn1N1/8/4r3/PP4PP/3R2K1 b - - 3 30

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