Chess Puzzle #2Fu5c — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d8; bishop a6; pawns a5/b4/c2/e5/g2/h4. Black: king b8; queen f4; rook e8; bishop e6; knight h6; pawns a7/c6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop e6→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook d8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1Rr3/p1p2ppp/B1p1b2n/P3P3/1P3q1P/8/2P3P1/3R2K1 b - - 3 28

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