Chess Puzzle #1Lf9A — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e2/g7; knight f5; pawns a3/b3/d4/g4. Black: king h8; queen h3; rook f8; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook g7→g8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re8# — rook e2→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/5pRp/p1p5/1p3N2/3P2P1/PP5q/4R3/6K1 b - - 1 31

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