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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c6; bishop g2; knight e4; pawns a4/d4/e2/e3/h4. Black: king f8; rooks a8/c8; bishops e6/g7; pawns a7/b6/e7/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1r2k2/p3ppb1/1pR1b2p/8/P2PN2P/4P3/4P1B1/2R3K1 b - - 0 26

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