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

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks c1/d1; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks d7/f8; pawns a3/e6/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen a8→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d7→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: Q2qkr2/3r1p2/4p3/8/8/p7/5PPP/2RR2K1 w - - 6 31

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