Chess Puzzle #3uKcu — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rooks d1/e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f5/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks a8/d8; bishop g2; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1q3ppp/8/pp2QP2/8/P6P/1PP3bK/3RR3 b - - 1 27

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