Chess Puzzle #4XX6t — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen e4; rooks a1/g7; knight e6; pawns a2/f2/g2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/e5; knights b8/d5; pawns a7/b7/g6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e5→e4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook a1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Rh4 (rook e4→h4).
3. Best move: Rxh4# — rook h1→h4, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn5k/pp4R1/4N1p1/3nr3/4Q3/8/P1K2PP1/R7 b - - 0 25

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