Chess Puzzle #0S9XX — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook a1; knight d3; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook c8; bishop d6; pawns a6/b4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c6→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc1 (knight d3→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/p1qb4/3p1Q2/1p6/1P1NP2P/P4PP1/R5K1 w - - 2 27

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