Chess Puzzle #0HWKA — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks e1/e3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen a3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e3→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p4ppp/1p3q2/8/8/Q3R2P/PP3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 3 21

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