Chess Puzzle #1o0Zf — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b2/b7; bishop g2; knight d2; pawns c4/d3/e2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a6/a8; bishop h7; knight d7; pawns c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight d7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook b2→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1R1n1ppb/r1p1p2p/3p4/2P5/3P2PP/1R1NPPB1/6K1 b - - 5 27

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