Chess Puzzle #4h16S — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks d1/d7; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishop g7; knights e7/f5; pawns a6/b5/g6/h3. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg2 — pawn h3→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/3Rn1b1/p4qp1/1p3n2/5P2/1BP1P2p/PP2Q1PP/2KR4 b - - 0 24

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