Chess Puzzle #29MqL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks d5/e2; pawns a2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c6/c8; bishops e6/h8; pawns a3/a6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop e6→d5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3kb/5p1p/p1r1bPp1/3RQ3/8/p6P/P3R1P1/6K1 b - - 0 37

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