Chess Puzzle #16BQ4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook a1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3ppp/4p3/8/3P3Q/1P3N2/P4PPP/R1q3K1 w - - 3 20

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