Chess Puzzle #0C7r0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook d4; bishop h8; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1kB/pp3p1p/1np5/8/3R4/6P1/P3QP1P/6K1 b - - 0 23

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.