Chess Puzzle #7N60Z — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rook a2; bishop f6; pawns b5/c4/d4/e5. Black: king c8; rook b3; bishop c6; knight f5; pawns a6/b7/c7/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a2→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Rd8# — rook a8→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1pp2p2/p1b1pB2/1P2Pn2/2PP1K2/1r6/R7/8 b - - 0 38

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