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

Position

White: king a5; rooks e1/e7; pawns a3/c5/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/g4; pawns a7/c6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg5 — rook g4→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p1Rppp/2p5/K1P5/6r1/P7/7P/4R3 b - - 3 26

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