Chess Puzzle #1uWh7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; bishop d6; knight b5; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook b8; bishop b4; knight g6; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook b8→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight g6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2R2ppp/3Bp1n1/1N1p4/1b6/1P6/P4PPP/6K1 b - - 4 27

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