Chess Puzzle #1gxw2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rook d1; bishops d5/g3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g4. Black: king c8; rook e2; bishop c5; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be6+ — bishop d5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp3pp/6n1/2bB4/6P1/2P2PBK/PP2r3/3R4 b - - 4 25

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