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

Position

White: king g2; rooks e1/e4; bishop c5; pawns a3/c2/d4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c6/d8; bishop f6; pawns c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2p2ppp/2r2b2/2B1p3/3PR3/P4P2/2P2PKP/4R3 b - - 0 27

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