Chess Puzzle #1W8Ih — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks e1/e2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/h5; pawns a5/c5/f4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2q2p1p/6p1/p1p4r/5p2/1PQ5/P3RPPP/4R1K1 b - - 5 32

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