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

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks e1/e4; pawns a2/c3/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook c8; pawns a4/b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa8 — rook c8→a8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→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: Q1r3k1/5ppp/5q2/1p6/p1pPR3/2P2P2/P5PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 27

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