Chess Puzzle #0Gu8m — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rooks c1/f1; pawns a4/b4/e3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks e7/g6; knight e4; pawns a7/c5/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3rppp/6r1/2pp2q1/PP2n3/4P1PP/5P2/2R1QRK1 b - - 0 26

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