Chess Puzzle #1Zk6h — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/c3/f5/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen a7; rooks b2/e8; pawns a5/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e8→e6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/q5pp/4Q3/p3pP2/8/2P3P1/Pr5P/3RR2K b - - 3 29

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