Chess Puzzle #05JWm — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook a1; bishop a2; knight f3; pawns b4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c1; rooks a8/c8; bishop f6; pawns d6/e7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1r4k/4pQ1p/3p1bp1/8/1P2P3/5N2/B4PPP/R1q3K1 w - - 0 23

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