Chess Puzzle #19Vkw — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rooks a8/d8; knight c7; pawns a2/e3/f3/g4/h2. Black: king f8; queen d1; bishop a4; knight e8; pawns f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen d1→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook d8→e8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop a4→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: R2Rnk2/2N2ppp/8/8/b4KP1/4PP2/P6P/3q4 b - - 8 37

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