Chess Puzzle #2gpjP — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b1; rook a6; bishop e5; knight d7; pawn a3. Black: king g8; rooks d5/h4; pawns b3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d5→d7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3N1p1p/R5p1/3rB3/7r/Pp6/8/1K6 b - - 0 38

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