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

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks d1/e1; bishop g2; knight c3; pawns a3/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook a8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rexe8# — rook e1→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rexe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2Qk1/1p3ppp/p4n2/8/8/P1N3P1/1qP2PBP/3RR1K1 b - - 0 20

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