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

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook e1; pawns a2/c3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen c5; rooks f7/f8; bishop c4; pawns a7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen e7→c5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f7→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/p3Qrkp/8/2q1P3/2b5/2P5/P5PP/4R1K1 w - - 2 26

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