Chess Puzzle #15Fdq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks e1/e2; bishop b2; pawns a2/c2/d5/g2. Black: king b8; rooks g8/h6; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/c7/f4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook g8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/ppp1n3/7r/3P4/5p2/8/PBP1RKP1/4R3 b - - 0 28

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