Chess Puzzle #0X4HP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/h5; bishop f6; pawns a4/b2/b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks c8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a5/b6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen g4→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/5p1p/1p1b1Bp1/pP1p3R/P5Q1/8/1P3PPP/R1q3K1 w - - 3 26

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