Chess Puzzle #27TAO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e1; bishop f5; pawns a3/b4/c2/f2/g4. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks a8/f8; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5pp1/p6p/1p2QB2/1P4P1/P6q/2P2P2/4R1K1 b - - 2 29

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