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

Position

White: king h1; rooks c7/d1; knight g3; pawns a3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks f2/g5; bishop g7; knight h4; pawns a7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf3 — knight h4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/p1R3bp/6p1/6r1/7n/P5N1/5r1P/3R3K b - - 1 30

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