Chess Puzzle #0V68N — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d2/f1; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop e3; pawns a7/c6/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f6→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen e2→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p5pp/2p2q2/3p4/8/P1N1b3/1PPRQ1PP/5RK1 w - - 0 18

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