Chess Puzzle #25JLJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks h3/h4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f6/h2. Black: king h8; rooks e8/g8; bishop e2; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh5+ — rook h4→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh5 (bishop e2→h5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h3→h5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1rk/pp3p1p/2p2P2/3p4/3P3R/2P4R/PP2b2P/7K b - - 8 29

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