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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook d4; bishop b1; knight f4; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; rook e8; bishop b7; knight c5; pawns a6/b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→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: 4r1k1/1b3ppp/p7/1pn1Q3/2pR1N1P/P5P1/1PP2P2/1B4K1 b - - 0 26

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