Chess Puzzle #0aDc5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen c7; rooks b1/h1; bishop h2; knight g5; pawns b3/e3/e5/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/f8; bishop d7; pawns c3/d3/e6/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxa2 — king a1→a2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook b8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qa5 (queen c7→a5).
3. Best move: Rxa5# — rook a8→a5, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/2Qb1pp1/4p1p1/4P1N1/5P2/1PppP2P/q6B/KR5R w - - 0 27

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