Chess Puzzle #0b5lO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks b1/d1; bishop f3; pawns e4/f2/g3/h6. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/pp3p1p/2p3pP/4Q3/4P3/5BP1/5P2/1R1R2K1 b - - 0 26

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