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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks d3/e2; pawns a3/b2/f4/f6/g3/g5. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks e8/f5; bishop f2; pawns a5/c6/c7/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2p2p2/2p2Pq1/p4rP1/5P1Q/P2R2P1/1P2Rb2/7K b - - 0 33

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