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

Position

White: king d1; queen c3; rooks e1/e3; pawns b2/d5/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks b7/b8; pawns c4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b7→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→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: 1r4k1/1r3p1p/6p1/3P4/2p2q2/2Q1R2P/1P6/3KR3 b - - 2 33

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