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

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e2; bishop b5; pawns a2/c3/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen g5; rooks d8/f7; knight a5; pawns a7/b7/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. 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

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pp3rpp/8/nB1P1pq1/8/2P4P/P3RPP1/4R1K1 b - - 2 23

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