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

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook d5; bishop c3; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe7 — knight c6→e7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen g6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pbp1Q1p1/1pn3qp/3R2N1/8/2B5/PP3PPP/6K1 b - - 0 26

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