Chess Puzzle #2JoK3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/f1; pawns a4/b3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook a8; knight f6; pawns a5/b4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2Q2k1/5ppp/5n2/p6q/Pp6/1P4PP/5P2/3R1RK1 b - - 1 27

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