Chess Puzzle #20aEI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook b1; pawns a6/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook e8; knight d3; pawns a7/c4/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e8→e6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook b8→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: 4r2k/p5pp/P3Qp2/8/2p2P2/3n4/6PP/1R4K1 b - - 4 29

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