Chess Puzzle #8KLV7 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks b6/b8; bishop d6; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king d8; rooks c4/e6; bishop c8; pawns d3/d7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook c4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb8# — rook b6→b8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Rbk4/3p1ppp/1R1Br3/4p3/2r5/3p3P/5PP1/5K2 b - - 1 25

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