Chess Puzzle #23Ci5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/e3; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen g4; rook a8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→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: r7/1b4pk/p6p/1p6/6q1/4R3/PPB3PP/4R2K b - - 4 35

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