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

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e3; knight c7; pawns a2/b2/d6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks c8/d7; knight h5; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→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: 2r2k2/p1Nr1pp1/1p1P3p/2p4n/8/4R3/PP3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 4 25

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