Chess Puzzle #0UM4Y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e3; pawns a3/b3/c2/d3/f6/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c8/d8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/1b3p1p/pp3Pp1/8/8/PP1PR2P/2P5/4R1K1 b - - 0 33

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