Chess Puzzle #1FAN1 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks e1/e2; pawns a4/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen a5; rooks e8/f8; bishop e5; pawns a6/c5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e2→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen a5→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook e5→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/6pp/p7/q1p1bp2/P6Q/1P6/2P1RPPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 26

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