Chess Puzzle #2DkXX — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c5/e5; pawns a4/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d7/e8; pawns a6/b4/c4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3r1ppp/p7/2R1R3/Ppp5/3P4/1PP3PP/7K b - - 3 26

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