Chess Puzzle #0O4Ik — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rooks b2/d2; bishop c4; pawns d5/e4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks b8/e5; bishop b4; pawns c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd2 — bishop b4→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b2→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook b8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppp/8/2pPr3/1bBqP3/5P1P/1RQR2PK/8 b - - 0 35

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