Chess Puzzle #1HHDt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rooks e1/e4; pawns a2/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c7/d8; bishop f7; pawns a7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop f7→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p1r2bp1/7p/5Q2/2qPR3/8/P4PP1/4R1K1 b - - 4 35

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