Chess Puzzle #2U9Ad — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks f1/f7; bishop a3; pawns a2/c2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks e6/e8; knight d5; pawns a5/b5/c4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne3 — knight d5→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5Rpp/4r3/pp1n4/2p5/B1P5/P1P3PP/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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