Chess Puzzle #122LH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rooks e1/e3; bishop b3; knight g3; pawns c2/d5/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishop h7; knight b6; pawns d6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook a8→c8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, master vs master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1Q3k1/5ppb/1n1p1q1p/3P3P/8/1B2R1N1/2P2PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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