Chess Puzzle #17Tk9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks a1/h5; bishop h4; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook h5→h7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d6→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/ppp3p1/3q1pQ1/7R/7B/2P5/P4PPP/R5K1 w - - 3 22

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