Chess Puzzle #0Xrd8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rooks a1/d2; bishop e3; pawns a2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b8; rooks b1/f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook a1→b1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen b8→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen b1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1q3rk1/p1pQ1ppp/3b4/4p3/2P5/4B3/P2R1PPP/Rr4K1 w - - 1 19

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