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

Position

White: king a1; rook c2; bishop b1; knight e2; pawns a3/b2/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen f1; rooks c8/e8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c2→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/pp3pp1/7p/3p4/6PP/P7/1PR1N3/KB3q2 b - - 3 29

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