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

Position

White: king f3; rooks d1/d5; bishop g5; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c3. Black: king c8; queen e7; rook f8; knight h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen e7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/ppp1q3/6p1/3R2Bn/5N2/2P2K2/PP6/3R4 b - - 2 32

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