Chess Puzzle #10DTa — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks e1/g4; bishop d3; pawns a2/c3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks b8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/d5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f2→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf1 (bishop d3→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3r1k/pp4p1/2n4p/3pP3/6R1/2PB3Q/P4qPP/4R2K w - - 3 24

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