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

Position

White: king b1; queen e3; rooks d5/h1; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook e8; bishop h7; pawns a7/b5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4ppb/7p/1pNR4/2q3P1/4Q2P/PPP5/1K5R b - - 0 28

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