Chess Puzzle #03IcO — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks a1/f5; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen g7; rooks e2/e8; pawns b6/b7/c6/c7/f7/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen g3→g7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1pp2pq1/1pp5/5R2/5B1p/2P3Q1/PP2r1PP/R6K w - - 0 23

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