Chess Puzzle #23s3n — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks c3/g4; knight b6; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a1/e6; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3ppp/1Nn1r3/p7/P5R1/2R4P/5PPK/r7 b - - 8 29

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