Chess Puzzle #1FO4y — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight h6; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks a8/e8; bishop c5; knight h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f6→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/ppp4p/5qpN/2b4n/6Q1/2P5/PP4PP/R1B2R1K w - - 3 21

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