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

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rook b1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks b2/e8; pawns a7/b7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen e1→c3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b2→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen c3→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3ppp/8/4p3/8/2q5/Pr3PPP/1R2Q1K1 w - - 0 25

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