Chess Puzzle #1JZ9n — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e6; bishop c6; pawns a4/c4/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; rooks f7/f8; bishop c5; pawns a5/b6/c7/f4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/2p2r1p/1pB1R1p1/p1bP4/P1P2p2/6P1/5P1P/4R1K1 b - - 1 34

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