Chess Puzzle #3bC2Y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks a7/d1; bishop c4; pawns b2/c3/g3/h3. Black: king h8; rooks a8/e2; bishop b7; pawns c5/e4/e5/g2/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8+ — rook a7→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa8 (bishop b7→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/Rb4pp/8/2p1p3/2B1p3/2P3PP/1P2r1pK/3R4 b - - 0 29

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