Chess Puzzle #20A3y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; rooks d5/d7; bishops b3/b4; pawns b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f2; rooks c8/g7; knight f4; pawns a6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d5→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/3R1prp/p7/3R4/1B3n2/1B6/KPP2qPP/8 b - - 0 34

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