Chess Puzzle #4cObb — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; rooks c4/e4; bishop d3; pawns e2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c7; rooks a8/b6; knight d4; pawns b7/c6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra4 — rook c4→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb3+ — rook b6→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king a3→a2).
3. Best move: Rxa4# — rook a8→a4, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxa4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/1pk4p/1rp3p1/8/2RnR3/K2B1P2/4PP1P/8 w - - 4 30

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