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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a2/c1; pawns c5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks b3/b8; pawns a3/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rca1 — rook c1→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b3→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook a1→b1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb1# — rook b8→b1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/7p/2PQ4/3P1q2/pr5P/R4PP1/2R3K1 w - - 2 34

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