Chess Puzzle #2OLC7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/f1; bishop c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/e2; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rh8# — rook d8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2Q2k1/pp3p2/4b1q1/8/8/2B5/PP2rPPP/3R1RK1 b - - 4 27

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