Chess Puzzle #3sO3K — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks d1/f7; pawns c3/e4/f6/h3. Black: king h7; rooks a2/h2; pawns a6/b5/e5/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg7+ — rook f7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/5R1k/p4Pp1/1p2p1p1/4P3/2P4P/r6r/3R1K2 b - - 0 41

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