Chess Puzzle #CJSx1 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen b5; rook e6; knight a4; pawns b2/b3/h5. Black: king d8; queen h7; rooks c7/c8; knight e7; pawns a7/d5/g5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook c7→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd6+ — rook e6→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d8→c7).
3. Best move: Rd7# — rook d6→d7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rd7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rk4/p1r1n2q/4R3/1Q1p2pP/N7/1P6/KP6/8 b - - 4 40

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