Chess Puzzle #2J5eJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/d1; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c2/d2; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook d2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp4pp/5n2/4N3/8/1P5P/P1rr2P1/R2R3K b - - 2 32

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