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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishops g4/h4; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2. Black: king a8; rooks d5/h8; bishop g6; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh4 — rook h8→h4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook e8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k6r/pp3pp1/2p3b1/3r4/2nP2BB/1N6/PP3P2/R3R1K1 b - - 0 24

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