Chess Puzzle #1ZZ7v — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks b1/g3; bishop c2; pawns a2/c5/d6/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen e6; rooks b8/e5; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/f5/f6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen f3→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook b1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen e6→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/1p4k1/p2Pqpnp/2P1rp2/8/5QR1/P1B3PP/1R5K w - - 4 37

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