Chess Puzzle #1U1Cv — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks b1/b3; knight b8; pawns a4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c8; rook c7; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen c4→d5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Nq4k/ppr3pp/8/3n1p2/P1QP4/1R2P3/5PPP/1R4K1 w - - 1 24

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