Chess Puzzle #0A0RG — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; knights b6/f5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook c8; bishop b8; knight f8; pawns a6/b7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen d3→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c7→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: 1br2n1k/1pq3pp/pN3p2/5N2/3P4/3Q4/PP3PPP/R5K1 w - - 4 23

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