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

Position

White: king g2; queen e8; rook e2; bishop h6; pawns a2/c4/f2/g4. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f7; pawns a7/b6/c5/c7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3Q1k1/p1p2r1p/1p4pB/2p5/2P3Pq/8/P3RPK1/8 b - - 1 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.