Chess Puzzle #2Fa9B — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks a1/a5; bishop f5; knight c5; pawns d4/e3/f2/h5. Black: king a7; rooks b8/d6; bishop c8; knight f8; pawns a6/d5/e4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf5 — bishop c8→f5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook a5→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxa6 (rook d6→a6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa6# — rook a1→a6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2n2/k7/p2r3p/R1Np1B1P/3Pp3/4P3/5PK1/R7 b - - 0 37

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