Chess Puzzle #1DPDI — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks c1/h7; knight f5; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks e2/e8; bishop f8; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rbk1/5p1R/p2p2p1/1p3N2/8/P1q4Q/1PP1r1PP/2R4K w - - 0 26

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