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

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rooks d1/e1; bishops a3/b3; pawns a2/c7/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; rooks a8/e7; bishop c8; knights b4/f6; pawns a5/b7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook e7→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rexe8# — rook e1→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rexe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2k2/1pP1rQp1/1q3n1p/p7/1n6/BB6/P4PPP/2KRR3 b - - 3 20

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