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

Position

White: king h3; rook c4; bishop e4; pawns a2/b3/d5/g3/h4. Black: king h8; rooks f2/f6; pawns d6/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook f2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/6pp/3p1r2/3Pp3/2R1B2P/1P4PK/P4r2/8 b - - 3 47

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