Chess Puzzle #4HbTR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook c5; bishop d4; knight e4; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king a5; rooks a8/g8; bishop e6; pawns a6/b7/d5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb4 — king a5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop d4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king b4→a3).
3. Best move: Ra5# — rook c5→a5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Ra5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/1p5p/p3b3/k1Rp4/3BN3/8/P4KPP/8 b - - 10 30

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