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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c7/f7; knight c6; pawns a3/b2/e3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; rooks a4/f8; knight d2; pawns a7/b6/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p1R2Rpp/1pN5/4p3/r5P1/P3P2P/1P1n4/6K1 b - - 0 28

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