Morphy’s mate with rook and bishop

A rook opens the g-file with a sacrifice, then returns to deliver mate while the bishop controls the king’s escape square.

Lesson

White to move. Main line: 1. Rxg7+ Kh8 2. Rg6#

1.Rxg7+ removes the pawn that blocks the g-file and forces the king into the corner. The king cannot capture the rook on g7 because the bishop on f6 protects it.

After 1...Kh8, 2.Rg6# places the rook one rank below the king. The rook controls h6 and g8, the bishop controls g7 and h8, and the h7-pawn removes the final flight square.

Morphy’s mate is a pattern of coordination, not a rule about exact squares. Look for a rook that can open a file next to the king and a bishop that protects the rook’s checking route while sealing the diagonal escape.