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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks a1/g3; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king d6; queen b6; rooks e8/h8; bishops f5/g7; pawns a6/c4/c6/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen h4→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen c4→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r2r/6bp/pqpk1pp1/5b2/2p4Q/P1N3R1/1PP3PP/R1B4K w - - 0 27

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