Chess Puzzle #L2EUn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; bishops b3/c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook a8; bishop g4; knight f4; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g5/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxe4 — king e3→e4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook a8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop b3→e6).
3. Best move: Rxe6# — rook e8→e6, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p1p/p1p5/1p4p1/3Pqnb1/1BP1K3/PP6/R1BQ2R1 w - - 0 25

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