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

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook e1; bishop f1; knight e5; pawns b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks b8/f8; pawns a6/b7/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight e5→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f2→f1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r3r1k/1p2p2p/p3Q1p1/4N3/8/2P5/1P3qPP/4RB1K w - - 1 31

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