Chess Puzzle #25wzp — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook c1; bishop e3; knight d7; pawns d4/f2/g5/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook e8; knight h5; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e8→e7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→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: 4r1k1/p2NQppp/8/6Pn/3P4/4B2P/q4P2/2R3K1 b - - 0 23

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