Chess Puzzle #5NwdZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rook a7; knight d3; pawns d4/e5/g5. Black: king g8; rook c8; knight c3; pawns a4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c8→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c4→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/R4ppp/4p3/3pP1P1/p2P1K2/2nN4/8/8 b - - 5 39

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