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

Position

White: king b1; queen f7; rooks d1/d6; bishop c4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2. Black: king g8; queen h2; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pb3Qpp/1p1R4/2p5/2B5/2N5/PPP3Pq/1K1R4 b - - 0 19

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