Chess Puzzle #2ymum — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks c1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2. Black: king g7; rooks a8/f8; bishop f5; pawns b4/c4/d5/e7/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a8→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king a1→a2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra8# — rook f8→a8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Ra8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/4ppk1/6p1/3p1b2/1pp5/2P1P3/PP2BPP1/K1R4R w - - 0 22

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