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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/e2; bishop f3; pawns a2/c3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/e8; pawns a6/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen f6→f3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1p3pp1/p1p2q1p/8/8/2P2BP1/P1Q1R2P/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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