Chess Puzzle #1e1D4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; rook a3; bishop c2; pawns b6/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rook e8; bishop a6; pawns b7/c6/d6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d4→d5).
3. Best move: Re5# — rook e8→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Re5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1p1k2pp/bPpp4/5p2/3KP3/R1P2P2/2B3PP/8 w - - 2 30

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