Chess Puzzle #1Qe4r — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook c7; knight f3; pawns a2/c2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook f2; knight c4; pawns c6/d5/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook f1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2R4p/2p2pp1/3p4/2nP4/2P2N2/P1P2rPP/2K5 w - - 0 26

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