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

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; bishops e7/f1; pawns a7/c6/d5/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook e1→f1, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f2→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen d1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p3b1pp/2p5/3p4/4p3/1N6/PPP2qPP/R1BQRb1K w - - 2 17

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