Chess Puzzle #26ZWn — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks a7/f7; bishop c4; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d1/f8; knight e3; pawns e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/R4Rpp/8/8/2B1p3/4n2P/6PK/3r4 b - - 0 31

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