Chess Puzzle #2FDCg — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c8; bishop f3; pawns d4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook b8; knight d5; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook b8→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1rR3k1/5ppp/4pq2/p2n4/3PP3/5B2/5PPP/2R3K1 b - - 1 23

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