Chess Puzzle #1lp03 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c7; bishops d1/e3; pawns a4/d5/f4/g4/h2. Black: king h6; rook b2; bishops d3/f6; pawns a6/e4/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook b2→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg5 (bishop f6→g5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: fxg5# — pawn f4→g5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with fxg5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R4p/p4bpk/3P1p2/P3pPP1/3bB3/1r5P/3B3K b - - 0 35

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