Chess Puzzle #20Fw4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; rooks d1/d4; bishop g2; pawns a2/b3/f2/f4/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c5/d8; bishop f5; pawns a7/e4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4ppp/4p3/2r2b2/1K1RpP2/1P6/P4PBP/3R4 b - - 7 23

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