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

Position

White: king a1; queen g5; rooks g3/h1; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks c7/c8; bishop e4; pawns a5/d4/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc1 — queen g5→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c7→c1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r2p1p/6p1/p3PpQP/3pb3/6R1/PP4P1/K1q4R w - - 2 31

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