Chess Puzzle #0Qa53 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rook e1; bishop f5; pawns a2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks d2/e8; pawns c2/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook e1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: cxd1=Q# — pawn c2→d1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with cxd1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5pp1/7p/2Q1PB2/8/8/P1pr1PPP/2q1R1K1 w - - 0 28

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