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

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rooks e1/e2; knight f6; pawns a3/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c4; rooks a8/d8; pawns a7/b6/c5/d4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→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: r2r1k2/p4pp1/1p1Q1N1p/2p5/2qp4/P6P/2P1RPP1/4R1K1 b - - 5 30

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