Chess Puzzle #162I8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; bishop c2; pawns a2/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook d8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/ppp3p1/2n4p/5pq1/8/2P3P1/P1B1QP1P/4R1K1 b - - 2 28

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