Chess Puzzle #EaxiL — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks g1/g3; pawns b3/c4/d5/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks e8/f7; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g3→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook f7→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen h5→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2p2rpp/p2p1p2/1p1P3Q/2P5/1P4R1/1q3P1P/6RK b - - 1 26

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