Chess Puzzle #50M5Y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rooks d7/e5; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks e8/f7; bishop b7; knight g5; pawns a7/b6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pb1R1rpp/1p6/4R1n1/2Q5/8/P1P2PPP/7K b - - 0 27

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