Chess Puzzle #07OAB — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d6; rooks a1/f2; knight e4; pawns a3/d4/e3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks b2/c8; bishop e6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook f2→b2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4ppp/3Qb3/8/2qPN3/P3P1P1/1r3RPP/R6K w - - 9 28

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