Chess Puzzle #3OBcd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rooks d1/g1; knight c5; pawns a3/b4/c2/d4/h5. Black: king f5; rooks e3/e7; bishops f6/h7; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh3 — rook e3→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rdf1+ — rook d1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook h3→f3).
3. Best move: Rxf3# — rook f1→f3, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2rp1b/p4b1p/2Np1k1P/1P1P4/P3r3/1KP5/3R2R1 b - - 2 40

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