Chess Puzzle #4fu0I — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c8/e1; pawns a5/b4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d7; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd8 — queen f6→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R3k1/3r1ppp/p4q2/Pp6/1P1P4/8/5PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 29

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