Chess Puzzle #Al8O9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d2; bishop g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4. Black: king e8; rooks c6/g4; bishop e7; knight f6; pawns a7/b5/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4k3/p3bpp1/2r2np1/1p4B1/5Pr1/8/PPPR4/2KR4 b - - 0 27

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